Coming out of a binge on the road is stressful enough without having to deal with the headache of finding out how to cover up the cost of doing the repairs.To most Aussies, a car is a necessity and hence quality, but affordable smash repair solutions that would have you back on the road within the shortest time are a priority.You may have been in a minor fender bender or have had a more severe accident, but now you know that knowing some tips is what will save you a bundle without damaging the safety or finish of your vehicle.
The initial and probably the most important thing is to receive several specific quotes. Never accept the first estimate you get, particularly when you are an individual paying to have the repair done and not taking insurance. A reputable repair shop will include an itemised quote clearly disaggregating costs on parts, labour and materials such as paint. Always be careful of quotes that are too low; they may be cutting corners on non-genuine or second-hand parts, which may impact your car's safety and your resale value later on. It is normally the magic number of three quotes to have a fair point to compare.
Then you can enquire of your preferred panel beater in Sunshine, as to their parts approach. Original Equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are manufactured by the car manufacturer and tend to be the most expensive. Good aftermarket components or even good used parts (when the damage is not structural and is on an older car) can save you a lot of money. It is always better to inquire with the repairer as well as your insurance provider and see what alternatives there are and whether the use of non-OEM parts can impact the warranty of your car or your own insurance policy. Parts transparency is a major sign of a good and value-driven repairer.
The strength of the local community should not be forgotten.Recommendation by word of mouth is priceless. Request friends, relatives or workmates within the neighbourhood who they got to do their accident repairs. Google or local online reviews are also a gold mine; however, disregard overly glorious or pathologically negative reviews. Search through similar themes on customer service, quality of work, and agreement with quoted prices and schedules. A company that cares about its image in society will not give poor work.
The other point of consideration is whether you should make an insurance claim at all. To fix such minor damage as a small scratch or even a dent, it may actually be cheaper to pay for the repairs personally than it is to pay your excess, which can also affect your no-claims bonus in the long run. Get a quick quote on these minor dings and automatically make a call to your insurer. The process of paintless dent removal (PDR) used by many repairers on small dents is a fast and cheap method that eliminates the expense of repainting.
Lastly, consider logistical costs.Is the service repairer so generous as to provide a free courtesy car during your repair? Or do they help with the paperwork? Although these value-added services do not directly reduce the payment of smash repairs in Sunshine, they will help you to save substantial sums of money and time that would be wasted on rental cars, transport, or wasted on attending to the cumbersome paperwork.
Settling at affordable rates to have the smash mended is about researching, having the right questions and focusing on quality rather than the lowest price possible. You would want your car to look mint afterwards, and above all, safe when you drive your car out of the workshop.
