No one wants to even think about the hassle of dealing with a car collision, but the unfortunate truth is that most of us will need to consider auto body repairs to our vehicles at one point. When it comes to getting a reliable and honest quote for your repairs, there are a few things to consider. From insurance to the extent of the repairs and who you will actually trust to complete the work, drivers have plenty to consider when dealing with auto body repairs. That is why the team at Grandcity has prepared this brief guide concerning five common auto body repairs and what you need to know when dealing with the situation.
5 Common Auto Body Repairs (With Cost) in 2023
1. Cracked or Broken Windshield
Damage of any kind on your windshield usually causes at least minor concern. The small cracks or nicks in the windshield now can quickly turn in to major issues that compromise safety in the vehicle. Certain cracks that are large and noticeable can actually earn you a fine, so its important to fix it right away. Usually, the cost of this type of repair depends on the extent of the damage. For a small crack or chip, the repair costs can be as low as $10 to $150, or for a complete windshield replacement, you could be looking at a range of $100 to as high as $1500 depending on the vehicle.
Comprehensive auto insurance coverage should be sufficient to pay for the brunt of these glass repair or replacement costs, with a deductible ranging from $100 to $300 depending on your insurer. You can also purchase a full glass rider on your policy, which will cover repair costs with no deductible.
2. Dented Bumper
Bumpers are made to be hit in order to mitigate the damage caused to the rest of the car. That doesn’t mean that they’re indestructible. A dented bumper isn’t as pressing as a cracked or broken windshield, but it is important to get repairs done as soon as possible. To simply repair the dent while preserving the bumper, you are likely looking at a cost between $150 to $600 depending on the make, model and year of your car. For a complete replacement, you can expect to pay in the ballpark of $2500.
With collision coverage in your insurance, you should have the repair costs for the bumper covered, even if you were at fault. Without this coverage, you will have to pay out of pocket for repairs, but this can sometimes be preferable to high deductible costs that raise your premiums.
3. Car Paint and Finish
Scratches, scrapes and minor dents can all cause some pretty unsightly damage to your paint and the protective finishing coat. The cost of these repairs will vary significantly depending on a number of factors like the age of your car, the extent of the damage, the availability of the matching paint color and the specific rates of the auto body shop itself. A typical Vancouver auto body shop will likely charge between $300 to $900 for basic paint coverage, but higher quality, custom jobs can cost significantly more, ranging as high as $2500 to $7500.
Most insurers won’t provide specific coverage for paint damage alone, so you will likely have to file a claim under collision coverage. Instances like a falling tree that damages your paint may be covered, but filing a claim for this type of damage can lead to higher premiums in the future, on top of the deductible payment.
4. Suspension
Your vehicle’s suspension is one of it’s most important components when it comes to comfort and safety while driving. A damaged suspension is nothing to ignore, so if anything goes wrong it is important to get it checked out at your local Vancouver auto body shop before the problem gets worse. For a complete repair of your suspension, you can expect to pay in the range of $1000 to $5000. Simply replacing individual components such as the shock absorbers or struts will cost anywhere from $200 to $5000 depending on the vehicle and the required parts.
Typically this type of damage is caused by regular wear and tear on the vehicle and it won’t be covered by your insurance provider. Damage that was caused by something other than wear and tear, such as a collision or running over a neglected pothole on a public road, however, will be covered. Depending on the deductible and the future premium costs, it might make more sense to pay for these repairs out of pocket if you can.
5. Door and Body Dents
A dent is one of those eyesore problems that might not require immediate attention, but it can still be unsafe to drive with a major dent, so repairs will be necessary eventually. If the dent is small, you may only have to pay a couple of hundred dollars to have it repaired. Larger dents, however, require more extensive repairs and can end up in the range of about $1500.
Collision insurance will almost always cover the repair costs if the dent was caused by an accident, whether it was your fault or not. The insurance cost will also include the damages to any property you may have hit as well, so remember that before you file a claim. If you are able to pay out of pocket, you can actually save money in the short term, as well as down the road for premium increases.
For an honest and upfront assessment of the type of repairs you require, be sure to bring your vehicle to Grandcity’s Vancouver auto body shop. We will give you a competitive estimate along with a friendly service you can rely on to get the job done right. To arrange an estimate for your repairs today, contact us, or bring your vehicle to Grandcity Auto Body today!