DARE TO REPAIR

DARE TO REPAIR

What Will the Vehicle You Buy Cost to Repair If You Have an Car Accident?

ARNOLD, MO (July 2010) – When you purchase a new car, the last thing you are thinking about is what it will cost to repair. But the expense of repairing bumpers, door panels and hoods can vary widely by automobile model, and often the cost of the repair doesn’t correspond to the value.
Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts, which completes the repair of a damaged vehicle every :30 seconds, carefully monitors the cost of vehicle repairs on all makes and models of vehicles. These costs not only contribute to the repair bill, it also drives the cost to insure the vehicle.
“When you’re analyzing what car to buy, it’s important to factor in what it will cost to insure and repair the vehicle should you be in an auto accident,” said Dan Young, Senior Vice President, Insurance, for CARSTAR. “We want to help educate car owners about what to expect when they have to make repairs so they make a smart decision on their car purchase and avoid sticker shock at the body shop.”
A few alarming numbers to consider when replacing damaged parts with OEM equipment are:

• The running board on a Lincoln Navigator is $2200
  
• The fender on a Chrysler 300 is less than $100 but the molding is $90
  
• The rear door lock on a 2008 Lexus 460 is over $900, the door trim panel is over $2,000 and the rear door belt molding is over $1,000.
  
• The quarter panel on 2000-2007 Ford Taurus is $1,397.45
  

So what four door passenger type automobiles are the most affordable and most expensive to repair when considering the “collision” coverage loss experience, which is the total cost paid out to repair or replace the damages sustained to the car?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety loss data shows the Honda Accord as the top performer, while Mitsubishi Galant is the bottom of the list when looking at four door passenger type cars. Judged on a scale where 100 is average and lower scores represent more affordable repairs, the results are as follows.
The 2006-2008 Honda Accord has a relative loss experience rating of 78, which was 23 percent better than the average result of 100. The remaining top nine performers and their relative scores were:

• Saturn Aura (83)
  
• Chevrolet Malibu (new model) (84)
  
• Mercury Milan 4WD (90)
  
• Hyundai Sonata (92)
  
• Chrysler Sebring (93)
  
• Ford Fusion (98)
  
• Mercury Milan (100)
  
• Toyota Camry Hybrid (101)
  
• Subaru Legacy 4WD (102)
  

The worst performing vehicle model during the 2006-2008 years was the Mitsubishi Galant at 132. Rounding out the most expensive vehicles to repair (from a loss cost standpoint) were:

• Nissan Maxima (131)
  
• Pontiac G6 (124)
  
• Nissan Altima Hybrid (123)
  
• Nissan Altima (123)
  
• Volvo S40 (122)
  
• Acura TSX (122)
  
• Mazda 6 Hatchback (121)
  
• Mazda 6 (119)
  
• Chevrolet Malibu (old model) (117)
  

“It’s important to think through the total cost of owning the vehicle, whether you’re buying a new or pre-owned vehicle,” said Young. “Because we repair so many vehicles, we can truly assess which ones are more cost-efficient to repair relative to the value of the car. The more you know about the car you are buying, the better decision you can make.”
If the unfortunate vehicle accident does occur, Young recommended having a collision plan in place so you aren’t stranded on the roadside waiting for assistance. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts offer high-quality, reliable repair service in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, St. Louis MO. For information and store locations visit www.stlcarstar.com
About CARSTAR CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is the largest group of branded collision repair facilities in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million vehicles since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any car. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.

OH DEER!

OH DEER!
Avoid the Bucks to Save Big Bucks on Collision Repairs
ARNOLD, MO (September 16, 2013) – You’re driving down the highway at the end of the day, when all of a sudden you say “Oh Dear?” as a giant head of antlers smashes into your front fender.
You can avoid an automobile accident with a buck – and spending lots of bucks on the damage – by following some smart driving tips this fall and winter. Every year, some 1.5 million drivers hit a deer, and the cold weather months are peak season for deer-vehicle collisions.
Deer crashes result in at least $1.1 billion a year in automobile damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. On average, the accidents cost $2,800 per insurance claim, and up to $10,000 if there is injury to the driver or a passenger, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
The Risks Are not Just in Rural Areas
The top states for deer-related accidents range throughout the country, and no longer are these accidents relegated to rural areas. The top 10 deer danger states are:

1. Pennsylvania
   
2. Michigan
   
3. Illinois
   
4. Ohio
   
5. Georgia
   
6. Minnesota
   
7. Virginia
   
8. Indiana
   
9. Texas
   
10. Wisconsin
    

As migration and mating season hit full swing, the dangers rise, making October through December the most treacherous months on the road where deer are concerned.
Drive Defensively to Avoid Deer Dangers
Early morning and sundown are the worst times for deer accidents, as visibility is limited and deer are often on the move. It is important to drive defensively and anticipate the potential for deer in the road so you can safely stop and avoid the accident.
The auto experts at Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair, who repair thousands of automobiles each year from deer-related accidents, offer the following tips to reduce the deer danger:

1. Use extra caution at dawn and sunset, and around golf courses, fields and wooded areas.
   
2. Remember that deer travel in packs – if you spot one, there are likely more behind it.
   
3. Don't swerve to avoid striking a deer, as that increases the risk of hitting another vehicle or losing control of your car.
   
4. If there is no opposing traffic, use high beams at night to better illuminate deer.
   
5. Don't rely on devices such as deer whistles, which are attached to the outside of a car, to try to scare off deer with an ultrasonic or high-frequency sound. They have not been proved to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
   
6. If a deer remains on the highway after you hit it, report the incident to the game commission or a local law enforcement agency, as the deer poses a danger to other drivers. If the deer might still be alive, don't go near it because a wild animal with sharp hooves can inflict injuries.
   

Preparation is Smart Protection
If an accident with a deer does occur, it pays to be protected. Many drivers do not realize that carrying only collision coverage does not cover damage from a deer accident, leaving them with a damaged vehicle and a large repair bill.
To fully cover any potential damage, drivers should carry comprehensive insurance that covers such crashes. For those driving an older vehicle who feel their cars aren’t worth the cost of the insurance, it is smart to keep an “accident fund” if something does occur.
If a driver ends up stranded in the woods with a damaged vehicle and a buck decorating their hood, they can always call 1-800-CARSTAR. They will send the tow truck, call their insurance company and help them get back on the road.
For more tips on dealing with a car accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.auto-body-arnold-mo.com. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts offers high-quality and reliable repair for more information and store locations, visit www.stlcarstar.com.
About CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is the largest group of branded collision repair facilities in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR Auto Body Experts are committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million vehicles since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.