Keep Your Sleigh Safe This Holiday Season

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts Give Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays 

Whether you’re on the road to grandma's home or perhaps just going to the shopping mall for some last minute shopping, it’s clever to take a few precautions to stop the holiday hassle of a crash.

Heavy traffic, vehicle operators sidetracked with holiday plans and cold weather produce the ideal storm for car owners throughout December.  In reality, it’s amongst the top months for traffic collisions in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, or Jefferson County, MO.

Although with appropriate preparation, some preventive driving measures and an eye on the weather report, motorists can guard themselves and their cars throughout the christmas season.

The pros on holiday traveling auto accidents, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts, repairs several thousand vehicles each year harmed in arctic, icy mishaps.  Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO provides drivers some useful information to make holiday driving more safe.

Keep In Mind:

•   Look at your path: check conditions of the road beforehand to realize if there will be any hold-ups
•   Stay in touch: Bring a cellular phone in case of issues
•   Turn down the Jingle Bells: lessen disruptions such as noisy music
•   Don’t invite theft: Presents inside the back seat are a lot more inviting than cookies and milk for Santa.  Secure them in the trunk in order to prevent break-ins
•   Have a break: When you're traveling a long distance, take breaks or even a quick nap at a rest stop to be alert
•   Shield yourself: Always have a seat belt
•   Do not Text and Drive: Messaging and driving can't only potentially harm yourself and your family but other car owners. Keep the phone stashed away for problems. When it's vital to dispatch a text message, smartly pull to the side first

Look At Your Visibility:

•   Refill your liquids: Add de-icer to your windshield wiper liquid
•   Update your wipers: Make sure your windshield wipers are freed from ice before heading out on the road – and check out updating with newer versatile windshield wipers before the snow strikes
•   Look at your visibility: Be certain all the mirrors are clear and effectively adjusted
•   Look at the lights: Wash hazed headlights and inspect light bulbs in all your automobile lights – back and front

Slow Down and Stay Back:

•   Look out for holiday revelers: Some drivers may very well have a few beverages before reaching the roadways. Remain alert and watch other people in case they start to swerve
•   Make it slow: When there's snow or ice on the land, decrease your speed 10 to 20 miles per hour beneath the limit for that particular road
•   Allow for some space: Facilitate at a minimum 2 to 3 vehicle lengths in between your automobile and the car in front of you
•   Cruise with cautiousness: Avoid using cruise control on icy highways
•   Stay alert to the surface: Use extreme caution on bridges, overpasses, and hardly ever traveled roads considering the fact that these may be slippery from ice and use extra caution when driving around on one-lane streets

Get ready for a Snow Day:

•   Weight it out: In the event the car has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand, litter or stones to keep your vehicle easier to control
•   Stock up on supplies: Pack a snow day kit in case you get stuck.  Really important items to incorporate are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and additional batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, compass, scissors, rope, wooden patches in watertight container and first-aid kit.
•   Bring your tools: Create a tool kit for digging your car or truck out with foldaway shovel, 2x4 planks to place beneath tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner

You can't ever be too careful when driving any vehicle in holiday traffic and in winter weather. Disasters can happen so fast on slippery, arctic freeways, so going slower and taking the additional precautions is exactly what Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair advises to totally make the difference.  A vehicle accident isn't simple to handle, but having any sort of accident during the holiday season may put a cramp in the holiday cheer.  A further measure of safety is always an ideal present throughout the Christmas season.

In the event that the unfortunate holiday collision does come about, we suggest having a crash plan set up so you aren’t stranded on the wayside waiting for assistance.  Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair gives high-quality, reliable repair service in the Arnold, Missouri area. Just call 1-800-CARSTAR when you have an accident and they will send the tow truck, speak to your insurance firm, plan for a rental motor vehicle and fix your ride.

Be In The Know When Driving On Ice And Snow

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Gives Tricks For Safe Travel in the Winter Season 

Winter weather can create much of the toughest travel conditions of the year. And, months between October and February top the list for catastrophes, vehicle damages and injuries in the Arnold, MO area.

When the climate falls and the snowfall increases, it is critical for motorists to boost their focus on safety on the highway.  With the right planning, some protective driving procedures and a close look on the weather report, vehicle operators can shield themselves and their cars or trucks in the winter months.

The gurus on winter weather driving accidents at Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, Missouri repair lots of motor vehicles each and every year wrecked in cold, icy auto accidents.  They supply car owners some useful information to help with making the winter season driving much safer.

Inspect Your Visibility:

•   Add de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
•   Make fully sure your windshield wipers are devoid of ice before you start venturing out on the road – and take a look at updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits
•   Be certain that all the mirrors are clear and appropriately tweaked for visibility
•   Clean your headlights and look at the light bulbs in each of your automobile lights – back and front

Go Slow and Stay Back:

•   When there's snow or ice on the surface in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, or Jefferson County, MO, reduce your car's speed to a safe limit
•   Try to leave additional distance between your ride and the car ahead of you for more protection
•   Don't involve the use of cruise control on icy roadways
•   Use extreme care on bridgework, overpasses, and hardly ever traveled streets as these may well be slick as a result of ice
•   Use extreme caution when driving on one-lane highways

Skidding Safely

When your back tires slip...

•   Bring your foot off the accelerator pedal
•   Steer in the direction you need the front tires to go. If your back tires are sliding left, steer left. If they're slipping right, steer right
•   If your back wheels start sliding the other way whenever you recuperate, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You may have to steer left and right once or twice in order to get your car or truck entirely under control
•   Should you have standard brakes, pump them gently
•   If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), don't pump the braking system. Apply regular force to the brake system. You'll feel the brake system pulse — it's routine

Should the forward tires skid...

•   Bring your foot off the gas and change to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
•   As the wheels skid laterally, they will slow the motor vehicle and traction will come back. As it does, steer in the direction you wish to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and speed up gently
Prepare for a Snow Day:
•   If your ride has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand or kitty litter to keep your vehicle easier to control on Arnold, MO streets
•   Pack up a snow day kit in case you get stuck.  Crucial items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and additional battery packs, extra cell phone battery, flares, wooden matches in waterproofed container, compass, scissors, rope and first-aid gear.
•   Make a toolbox for digging your vehicle out with collapsible spade, 2x4 planks to put under car tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and outside windshield cleaner

You can never be too careful when driving in cold weather. Problems can take place easily on slippery, frozen streets, so driving slow and taking the extra safety measures can seriously make the difference.

If the regrettable winter accident does take place, we encourage having a wreck plan in place so you are not stuck on the wayside hoping for help.  Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, Missouri features top-notch, trustworthy repair service.  Just call 1-800-CARSTAR after you have an auto accident and they're going to send the tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a car rental and fix your vehicle.

Top Ten FAQ - Part One

Maybe you have a question on your vehicles or the repair process? Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair of Arnold, MO has taken care of the common questions further down. In the event that you don’t notice the answer below, give us a call and we will make sure you get the information you need.

1.   What to Do in Case of an Accident

2.   Your Consumer Rights

3.   How to Choose a Body Shop

4.   About the Repair Process

5.   Understanding Your Estimate

1. What to Do in Case of an Accident

First, remain calm. If there're injuries, call 911 right away. You shouldn't relocate your vehicle, unless you are in immediate hazard and it will be safer to get your motor vehicle in some other venue. Get the name of the individual (s) driving the other motor vehicle (s) involved along with their contact number, driver's license, vehicle license and insurance coverage info. Aim to secure any witness' name and phone number (s). Pay attention to the place, time and day. Use your camera phone to take photographs of the incident, vehicle damage and witnesses.

2. Your Consumer Rights

If you have a major accident, you possess the right to find out where you would like the automobile towed and the place you want to have your vehicle fixed. A quality collision repair shop will arrange towing for you, perform high quality repairs and deal with your insurance provider. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair comes with a limited five-year nationwide warranty as an extra benefit.

3. How to Choose a Body Shop

Make sure you pick an automobile body shop in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO that offers a full written estimate, practices a well designed repair process for each automobile and features skilled, qualified repair experts. A national affiliation customarily shows better repair standards, as does a nationwide guarantee. Look for a body shop that utilizes the highest-quality parts and merchandise to revive your motor vehicle, who can help you stay informed throughout the repair process, provides great customer service, can deliver your motor vehicle in good time, and performs an extensive assessment of all repair works before putting you straight back on the highway.

4. About the Repair Process

The repair process begins with you taking your vehicle in for a quote with a skilled estimator. If you decide on that shop, they're going to work with your insurance broker to process the repair claim. An exceptional auto body shop like Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair will conduct a thorough disassembly of all harmed parts of the automobile to figure out any structural or mechanical harm. They will order the needed parts for your ride and then complete the repair. When the repair is complete, they'll conduct an in-depth check of the inside and exterior of your car to guarantee an outstanding repair.

5. Understanding Your Estimate

Your estimate should include a comprehensive evaluation of the work to be completed on your vehicle, a summary of the repair parts to get used, what stuff your insurance policies will and won't encapsulate and the forecasted amount of the repair. A primary reason quotes in Arnold could vary from another shop is thoroughness of the appraisal process. Some quotes might keep necessary repairs out of the primary estimate, causing the amount to be different from another facility. At Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair we are thorough to discover the procedures essential for a top quality and safe repair for the vehicle.

Ten Tips for Dealing with an Auto Accident

One time each and every 7 years, the ordinary car owner from Arnold, Missouri is taking part in an vechicle accident.  When that happens, it’s smart to know about what you have to do to safeguard yourself and your ride, and get yourself on the highway to a quick, top-quality repair.  Here's a few tricks to be mindful of and share with the road users in your family from your friends at Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, Missouri:

1.   Turn off your vehicle’s engine and leave it where it is at so long as you feel it’s safe. If you feel uncomfortable or your motor vehicle is in peril of getting injured by some other vehicle, at a low speed drive your car or truck to a less hazardous place, such as the curb of the road or a well lit parking lot.

2.   At all times keep calm.  Be tactful and respectful, even if you’re angry.

3.   Determine the extent of impact and determine whether you are injured. If you believe you’re wounded at all, be in your car or truck and make an attempt to take it easy. Tell the truth if somebody asks how you are. Ask a person to call for assistance, and let a professional examine your condition.

4.   Give out health-related tips to other people only if you happen to be educated to do this.

5.   Evaluate the damage to your motor vehicle. When checking out the vehicle accident scene, you must never go directly in between the two automobiles. If one is struck once more, you might become confined amidst the 2 vehicles.

6.   Simply call the police of Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, or Jefferson County, MO to document the vehicle accident. Dial 911 first, if that does not work, dial zero and request the cops.

7.   Never say the car accident was your error, even though you may believe that it was.

8.   Call 1-800-CARSTAR to have someone from Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair request a tow, arrange for a car rental, speak to a loved one and contact your insurance broker.

9.   Attain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses.  In the event you can't really obtain their names, at least obtain their license plate numbers.

10.   Trade names, addresses, license numbers and insurance coverage details with any other people involved in the automobile accident.

It is intelligent to have an accident strategy ready to go before an automobile accident comes about.  Distinguish a credible auto body shop where to bring your family car ahead of time so that you are never obligated to generate a quick decision at the accident scene.  To discover the number one collision repair facility in your community, seek out the CARSTAR company logo.  All CARSTAR auto body repair shops like Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair are locally managed, and are focused on offering the highest-quality repair and getting you back on the highway speedily.

For more Arnold, Missouri car care tips, visit www.auto-body-arnold-mo.com.

Bucks Cost Bucks, Does Cost Dough

North America’s Collision Repair Experts Weigh in on the Hefty Costs of Hitting a Deer

It’s the yearly battle of the bumpers against the bucks, the does up against the doors.  Both sides lose whenever car and deer collide, but a measure of defensive driving can lessen the risks.

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts in the St. Louis area say the regularity and severity of deer-related accidents are growing as fast as the deer population in certain markets. And, with the cold-weather months supplying peak season for deer-vehicle crashes, this risk is rising.

In point of fact, over forty percent of CARSTAR shop owners describe a twenty five percent boost in deer-related injuries, while some nearly twelve percent report a 50 percent increase and five percent have noticed a massive seventy-five percent increase in their areas. That deer-related accident can be pricey -- just about seventy percent of CARSTAR store owners gauge that the normal price of a deer-related collision repair is around $2,500 and $4,999, while some 5% of repairs are around $5,000 and $10,000.

A recently available survey by State Farm concurs with the pattern.  U.S. drivers are 3 percent more inclined to hit a deer in the following 12 months as opposed to this past year, specifically in October, November and December. The cost is rising, also, and is anticipated to be about fourteen percent greater than this past year.

A new trend is emerging, and one that does not bode well for motorist or deer – the serial deer crash motorist.  Once a driver has been around a deer-related incident, his or her probability of suffering from another one are going up.  Most of these car owners have a home in deer-filled areas, drive in early morning or early evening when deer are out, or simply just happen to be unlucky with bucks.

Greg Walter, a suburban Atlanta resident, is simply one example.  He’s experienced 17 deer-related accidents over the past decade!

“I’m not sure why they aim for my pickup, but they certainly do,” mentioned Walter.  “I’ve destroyed several company cars, and it’s gotten so bad that some of my co-workers put deer heads on my truck door just like a World War Two fighter pilot.  I’ve experimented with a variety of headlights, deer whistles, anything.  I think I just have to have a retainer at my local CARSTAR shop.”

Drive Defensively to Avoid Deer Dangers

This year, some 1.5 million drivers will hit deer, and November is the top month for deer-related incidents in Arnold, Oakville, and Imperial, Missouri.  However drivers can easily bypass an accident with a buck by simply following some smart driving tips this fall and winter.

Morning hours and sundown are the worst hours for deer problems, as visibleness is restricted and deer are frequently on the move. You will need to drive defensively and anticipate the prospect of deer in the roadway.

The car professionals at Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair, who fix thousands of automobiles every year from deer-related mishaps, offer the following tips to lessen the deer danger:
1.    Use extra caution at sunrise and dusk and around golf courses, fields and wooded areas.
2.    Don't forget that deer travel in packs – if you notice one, there is probably more behind it.
3.    Don't swerve to get around hitting a deer, because that enhances the risk of impacting another motor vehicle or losing control of the car or truck.
4.    When there's no opposing traffic, utilize high beams at nighttime to better illuminate deer.
5.    Don't rely on gear including deer whistles, which are connected to the outside of a car, to scare off deer with an ultrasonic or high frequency noise. They haven't been shown to lessen deer-vehicle collisions.
6.    If a deer keeps on the highway after you hit it, report the accident to the game commission or a nearby law enforcement department, for the reason that deer presents a danger to other road users. If the deer still is alive, you shouldn't get around it since a wild animal with sharp hooves may inflict injuries.
7.    If a car accident with a deer really does happen, it pays to be covered. Many motorists do not recognize that holding exclusively collision coverage isn't going to cover harm from a deer incident, leaving them with a wrecked vehicle and a sizeable repair expense.  To completely deal with any prospective problems, car owners must carry detailed insurance that covers such accidents. For the people driving an older automobile who think their motor vehicles are not worth the expense of the insurance coverage, it’s smart to maintain an “accident fund” for if anything does happen.

If a motorist ends up marooned with a wrecked automobile following a deer collision, they may always call 1-800-CARSTAR. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair will dispatch the tow truck, contact their insurance company and help the automobile owner get back on the highway.

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO offers top-quality, sound repair service at over 430 locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. Just call 1-800-CARSTAR if you need a vehicle repair, and they're going to send out the tow truck, speak to your insurance company, plan for a car rental and fix your motor vehicle. For more information and store locations, go to www.auto-body-arnold-mo.com.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop

With rocks, shopping carts along with other frequent hazards, it’s not extremely uncommon to identify a scratch in your motor vehicle, either in the paint or the windshield. Not dealt with, any scrape can cause significant problems, from rust and corrosion caused by a paint scratch exposing the metal to a small windshield scratch that stretches until a total windshield replacement is needed. To lessen this type of damage, it is vital that whenever your get a scratch to repair it straight away at a shop like Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO.

When you do get a paint scratch or windshield scratch in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO, the best thing to do generally is use a professional repair company.

To fix a deep paint scratch that goes all through the paint to the metal, a paint and body repair center such as Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair will do the best job in entirely repairing the scratch. To fix this sort of scratch, the technician will need to strip the affected panel, prime it and paint it.

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO has the ability to completely match the color of your motor vehicle. Depending on your insurance plan, you might get your glass scratch repaired without paying anything out of pocket. No matter if you get a paint scratch or a glass scratch, get it fixed promptly. The damage your car could sustain from not having a scratch fixed can be both serious and costly.

But how do you know what auto body shop to head to? It isn't uncommon for estimates from assorted body shops to differ wildly. One shop may give you an estimate for $500 while another wants $2,000 for the work. What's the difference? And when is it fine to select the cheaper shop?

Below are great tips from Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO for choosing the best shop in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO to work on your vehicle — particularly when you're the one paying the bills.

1) Pay Attention to Word-of-Mouth
Any business can advertise, but you'll do better with a shop that friends, family or acquaintances endorse. It's a business that has confirmed it can satisfy customers. And it might not be the largest or best-known shop in the neighborhood. Occasionally, you may get a suggestion for a little shop where the owner works on the vehicles himself.

2) Consider the Operation's Location and Overhead
Labor hours is the deal-breaker for how much a repair will cost. Many shops charge $40 per hour for labor. However in the ritzy parts of West L. A., the per-hour labor charge is $60-$65. In wealthy Newport Beach, California, there's been up to $90-per-hour labor charges.

3) Get Several Estimates
Taking your car to a few auto body shops in the Arnold, MO area for repair quotes is the best way to avoid overcharges. And while you'll want to protect against being overcharged, you should not simply take the cheapest quote. You may get some type of midnight guy that will say he is able to do it really cheap. Stay away from those guys, since there is something they aren't doing. You might have major problems down the road.

4) Ask the Right Questions
When finding a body shop, don't go in with your pocketbook open. Ask some key questions. Does the shop offer a written warranty? And if that's the case, for how long? How much does the warranty cover?

Another key question is whether the shop carries fire and theft insurance. You need to be sure you're covered if your car is destroyed, stolen or burglarized. Don't forget to ask how long the shop has been in business. Make sure it has a business license.

You will also want to know about the types of materials the shop plans to use. Are new, used or aftermarket body parts likely to be used? New parts are obviously the best and used parts are fine, though they don't provide the savings people think. Dependent on the damage to your car or truck, aftermarket parts can avoid using too much money and may be every bit as good as the ones that come from the original manufacturer. If paint work is involved, ask how many coats of paint and clear coat the shop plans to use.

5) Follow Your Intuition
Ultimately, it is important to trust your intuition about the shop that you are thinking about. If a shop isn't really busy, maybe that's because customers in the Arnold, MO area are steering clear of it as a result of shoddy repairs. If the place is really dirty, cluttered or disorganized, this might reflect the kind of work you could expect the shop to do with your automobile. Is the shop owner or manager a grouch who seems to resent addressing the questions you have? You will be happier with a shop where the owner communicates well and is straightforward with customers.

When you're out looking for an estimate, why not check in with Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair ? They would love to give you a fair estimate supported by a lifetime warranty.

Auto Collision Tips

Keeping calm and on task after an auto collision can save lives and enable you to get back on the road quickly

An auto collision is an emotional and tedious experience. Many motorists drive defensively, take driver education training courses and get ready for stressful driving situations, however vehicle collisions still take place in Arnold, MO.

A driver is responsible for knowing what to do if they are involved in a wreck. Even the most prepared and competent motorists sometimes find themselves involved in a collision. It doesn't matter who's responsible, the most important thing to do first is make sure everybody is OK, then seek medical and law enforcement help and know what to do to protect yourself from legal or financial trouble down the road.

The best defense to prevent any trouble after a collision is to get ready. As outlined by AAA, "Keeping a pen and paper, disposable camera or cell phone camera, and copy of your insurance card readily available all the time will help keep you organized and lessen stress moments following a collision."

After stopping your automobile, Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair recommends all drivers involved in an automobile crash stick to these steps:

1. Help the seriously injured. Quickly talk with those involved in the collision to find out if there are any injuries. If medical assistance is needed, call 9-1-1. If medical attention isn't required, be certain that you're not in imminent danger at the roadside.

2. Control the Scene. Before you take time to exchange information, get to a safe place.  If there aren't any injuries and your vehicle is drivable, safely move to the right or left emergency lane.  Some state laws require drivable vehicles to be removed from the roadway to avoid traffic congestion. Turn on your hazard lights and set out warning flares or reflective triangles. Never leave the scene of the crash, but find a safe place to remain until emergency services arrive.

3. Notify the Police and Submit a Report. The law requires you tell the authorities. No matter what either party alleges, call law enforcement and file a report. If the authorities don't come to the scene to start an investigation, you can file a report by visiting a nearby police department or car insurance agency in the days after the accident. Having a report on file might help later if a liability claim is submitted.

4. Document the Scene and Exchange Information. It is very important exchange and gather information with all parties involved in the accident, including witnesses. Having this on file will help finish any future paperwork or address possible problems. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair suggests that you document:

•   Names
•   Addresses/email address
•   Vehicle Information including makes, models and years for all cars involved
•   Vehicle identification/license plate numbers
•   Driver’s license numbers
•   Insurance carriers and policy numbers
•   Take pictures of the area, people involved and wrecked motor vehicles

5. Notify Your Insurance Carrier. Your insurance company will have to be notified after a crash to start the right claim filing. Many insurance companies have staff available around the clock and can assist immediately. Having proof of insurance in your car or truck is required by law and makes filing a claim easier if not at home.

6. Get Your Motor Vehicle Fixed. You have the right to get your vehicle fixed at the auto body shop of your choosing. Consider taking it to Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO, which also serves Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO.

7. Unattended Vehicle or Property. If you're tangled up in a crash that involves an unattended motor vehicle or property, take action to inform the owner. If you cannot find the owner, attach a written notice of the crash to the car or property, making certain to include your contact information and information in the list above.

Drivers and owners of motor vehicles must certainly be ready to assume legal and financial responsibility if involved in a crash, don't let your emotions and feelings get in the way of determining who is the culprit. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into admitting fault or giving an opinion about the cause of a crash. If you would like, you can consult with a lawyer before providing a statement.

For additional tips on proper auto body repair or what to do in case of an accident, get a hold of Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO today!