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CHOOSING YOUR OWN REPAIRER

Taking out car insurance should be about peace of mind in the unlucky event your car is in an accident. Often times however dealing with some insurance companies and their preferred repairers after an accident can be as much of nightmare as the actual accident itself.

The following are our tips for you take back control over a tough situation so you have a say in how your vehicle is repaired, who repairs it and when it is repaired.

CHECK YOUR INSURANCE POLICY

Your car is one of your most important assets. You always want to be assured that if your car does get damaged that it gets taken care of properly. Checking you have chosen the right policy is key to avoiding the double whammy of your car getting damaged and not having it repaired the way you want. Ultimately it’s about choosing an insurance company that respects that you paid the premium and gives you the opportunity to decide the fate of your car.

TIP #1: Ask Questions

Asks questions and make sure you’re satisfied with the answer. If not, change to a policy that you’re comfortable with. There are lots of options available and car insurance pricing is competitive, but the way your car is repaired can be worlds apart.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK

  • Do I have choice of repairer?
  • What happens if I choose my own repairer?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with original (OEM) parts?
  • Do I have a say in how it will be repaired?

THINGS INSURERS MIGHT SAY

Some insurance companies use subtle tactics to steer their customers to where they want them to go. They say things like:

“We can’t guarantee the repairs”

All credible repairers offer a lifetime guarantee on their work which includes the repairs and paint. Again ask your repairer about this for more information.  

“If you choose your own repairer settlement or repairs will be delayed”

Coordinate with your chosen repairer they work with insurance companies on a daily basis and can help guide you through the process. A repair quote can take up to 6-24 hours to write – check with your repairer. Once the quote has been written and submitted to the insurance company it’s up to them to assess it and authorize repairs. In my experience, in the worst case scenarios, assessments should only take up to 3-5 days to be scheduled and authorised.

“Your car will be sent to an assessment centre”

Most assessment centres are off-site from the repairers and can be far away – especially inconvenient if it is towed away. Vehicles are assessed and the insurer tender for quotes, they then allocate the job to a repairer of their choice - often with price over quality being the overriding consideration. Check if your insurance will assess and repair at the premises of your preferred repairer at a fair and reasonable negotiated price.

TIP #2: Read Your PDS

It’s always wise to look read your PDS (product disclosure statement) to see exactly what you’re covered for. These are long documents but are usually formatted well so it is easy to jump across sections to find answers to questions you may have.

TIP #3: If in Doubt Seek Advice

Dealing with the stress of getting your car repaired can be daunting.

Accredited body repairers who are members of Motor Trades Association Queensland or trade association groups like Car Craft, AARN, CCRN can assist you with insurance claims or give you advice to which insurance companies gives you the freedom to choose your repairer.

TIP #4: Read Reviews and Avoid being in Situations like this:

WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT CHOICE?

Choice of repairer is all about the right to discern who you feel can do the right job. The beauty of choice means you can dictate the fate of your own car rather than having the choice dictated from insurers that may value controlling costs more than they do quality and customer satisfaction. Refuse to be treated like number and take back your choice.

For the independent repairer it's about shared value in a free market. When the customer is allowed to exercise their right to to choose based on the merits of a business rather than having that choice dictated to them it will then drive fair competition and elevate the standards of the industry - now that's great for everyone!

How to Take Photos of Damage

The 4 steps to taking expert shots

STEP 1

TAKE A PHOTO OF YOUR REGO

To first help us identify you exact vehicle details take a photo of your Registration plate.

*If your vehicle is registered in a state other than Queensland we may need your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to be able to find your vehicle details. 

Watch this video guide of how to find your VIN#

STEP 2

TAKE A CLOSE UP PHOTO OF THE DAMAGE

Take a clear close up photo of the damaged area. For larger damage make sure the damage fits completely into the frame. Multiple angles help us feedback accurate assessments.

STEP 3

TAKE A PHOTO OF ADJACENT PANELS

Take 2-3 steps back so that the surrounding panels of the car can be visible in the frame.

STEP 4

TAKE MULTIPLE ANGLES

From the position you are at from step 2 take a few steps to both your left and right to get different angles of the damage.
*for multiple damaged areas - repeat the process.

Angle2

Angle1

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES

REMEMBER

  • The more photos you provide the more accurate the estimates can be.
  • For heavy collision damage visual inspections need to be made to make accurate estimates.
  • If possible take photos in well-lit environments. However avoid using your camera flash or strong direct sunlight which could cause glare.

Detail Your Car Like a Professional

Car detailing can be an arduous task, and sometimes if you use the wrong material or techniques you can create more harm then good. Here are some professional tips to make your car stand out or simply maintain your car’s outer protective coating:

Products

There are a lot of refinish products in the marketplace and with advances in technology there are always new and innovative products arriving to make the job easier. Consider the use of items such as:

EXTERIOR
  • Paint-cleaning Clay Bars
  • Car Wash Solution
  • Camosis
  • Microfibre Cloths
  • Pre-wax Cleaners
  • Polishing Compounds
  • Automotive Wax (Liquid & hand application)
  • Soft Brisle Brush (for tyres and rims)
INTERIOR
  • Hard Brush
  • Interior Cleaners
  • Cheap Air Compressor (optional)
  • Vacuum

Step 1: Wash (Hand Wash Recommended)

TYRES AND RIMS

Tyres and rims should be cleaned BEFORE you clean and protect your vehicle’s paintwork. Avoid the use of detergents and acid-based cleaning products. Use car wash and a strong stream of water (pressure washers are okay) to dislodge dirt and brake dust buildup.

 

Pro Tips

  • A soft-bristle brush may also help for stubborn grime.
  • Allow the cleaning agent to do it's job by letting it soak in for around 30 seconds, then rinse off.
  • Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the rim unless the product specifies otherwise.
  • Finish by applying an even layer of tyre shine (non-silicone based is best).

 

PAINT WORK

Hand washing is recommended, it's a great way to familiarise yourself with your vehicles surface and more importantly avoid those, what i call, "spider-web scratches" you get when you go through the automatic car washes.

Pro Tips

  • Ensure your vehicle is parked in the shade and is not hot to touch. This will help avoid the soapy water evaporating before you get the chance to rinse it and leaving unsightly spots and blemishes.
  • Avoid detergents as they will strip the surface of protective wax coatings, exposing the vehicle to scratches and stains. Instead, use Car Wash solution - it will help preserve your vehicle’s finish
  • Ensure the sponge is free of dirt prior to applying it each time to the painted surface.
  • NEVER EVER use abrasive sponges to remove hard fallout such as bird/bat poo, tar, gum or any hard to remove material as this will most certainly scratch the paint.
  • Dry the surface using a chamois, soaked with water and wrung dry.
  • Open and slam doors to ensure excess water that may be trapped in mouldings to run out.
GLASS

Clean your glass last as it will have grime and dirt from the other cleaning steps.

Pro Tips

  • Buff the glass using a micro-fibre cloth. This does a great job of getting rid of residue which causes streaks and spots.
  • Remember to wind down the side windows to get to the top edges.

 

You may want to stop at giving your vehicle a good wash. However it is a good idea once and awhile to give your paint work some extra TLC, especially if you want to sell the car or want to make it presentable. So steps 2 to 4 are optional.

Step 2: Clay Bar your Paint Work

Use of a paint-cleaning clay block lubricated with soapy water is a great way of removing pollution and fallout that settles on the surface of your paint work.

For a more detailed how to guide there are some great how to links on the web. Here's one i recommend: How to Clay Bar

Pro Tips

  • It is essential to ensure the block is clean and free of any foreign objects so keep in a enclosed container.
  • Be careful not to drop the clay bar on the floor as there is a good chance it will pick up some contaminants which may cause scratches.

Step 3: Cut and Polish your Paint Work

Polishing with a liquid compound can be done by hand or machine, however, if you have not been properly trained in the use of machine polishers, you may be better off doing by hand. Rotating polishing machines in particular will damage paintwork if used incorrectly. Oscilating buffers are more forgiving, and much easier to use.

Polishing removes wax and cleans the top layer by removing unwanted chemicals that have bonded to the paint’s surface. They can also remove swirl marks and small scratches. Polishing is designed to smooth the surface of the paint, which will make it shine. Some polishes contain wax, but wax itself does not smooth the paint.

Step 4: Apply Wax

Your vehicle had a new clear coat when it left the factory, however, over time that coating wears off leaving the paint unprotected against the elements. Wax replaces that protection. Wax is sacrificial and will also wear off over the course of a few months, but in that time it will absorb stains and small scratches before those hazards reach the paintwork itself.

Pro Tips

  • Use a liquid spray wax between washes - it's a good way to touch up scratches and stains, however it is no substitute for a hand application wax coating.
  • Schedule your cleaning and waxing regime according to your vehicle’s exposure to the elements to maintain its showroom condition.
  • There area lot of waxes and polishes on the market and it all comes down to personal preferences. We tend to like the Maguirs range however try a few brands out and see which suites best.

Interior

Pro Tips

  • Use Compressed Air. It's useful for a multitude of tasks especially blow dirt and debris from the nooks and crannies. You do not need to purchase heavy workshop equipment to get compressed air. There are many inexpensive small air compressors available at your local hardware store.
  • Use hard brushes for carpets and floors to dislodge any hard to remove material.

Maximize your Car Sale

The 3 secret tips to make sure you get top return

Accounting for about $45 million in car sales each year, the used car market grows with each shiny new car delivered to dealership lots. Those dealerships know individuals are intimidated by selling their car privately, so they eagerly buy cars cheaply and sell them for a handsome profit. After all the time spent taking care of your vehicle, you’re entitled to obtain the fairest price.

Following these tips, you’ll have no need for the used car salesman.

TIP No. 1: KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY APPRAISE YOUR CAR

Knowing how to properly appraise your car will ensure that you receive top dollar for the value of your used car. A proper appraisal will allow you to sell with confidence and avoid unnecessary discounts. In addition it equips you with a useful guideline of how much to spend on your vehicle to maximize its value.

Great resource websites:

They are all great websites to get a feel for what the market is offering but I’d highly recommend redbook.com.au for getting a really good picture of pricing for your specific make and model as it has really detailed pricing summary, the average kilometres for that year model, dealer pricing and much more.

The 5 questions to ask yourself when appraising your car

  1. What is the exterior condition?
  2. What is the Interior condition?
  3. Is the vehicle mechanically sound?
  4. How many Kilometres are there on the vehicle?
  5. What is the market paying for similar year, make and models
REMEMBER

A good appraisal allows you to:

  • Maximize the value of your car
  • Avoid unnecessary discounting
  • Sell with confidence knowing what the market will pay for your vehicle
  • Serve as a guide for buying another car

 

TIP No. 2: DETAIL YOUR CAR

Clean, shiny and rust-free body panels are the Holy Grail for any would be pre-owned car customer. In fact, good presentation can account for adding more than $1,500 to the sale price compared to a lesser-kept car. I’ve seen it time and time again, selling a vehicle that has damage never pays. Not only does it take longer to sell your car, prospective buyers want bigger discounts then the cost to repair damage and they seem to look at the vehicle with a bigger magnify glass.

 

TIP No. 3: TIDY UP DAMAGE

Obviously do not go over the top with repairs know how much your car is valued and how much your vehicle is currently worth in its condition to have a working budget.

Relatively inexpensive services you may want to consider:

  • Paint-less Dent Repair [link]
  • Cut and Polish [link]
  • Interior Trims Repair [link]
  • Rust Repair [link]
  • Touch-ups [link]

 

PRO TIPS

  • When displaying your vehicle clean out all trash inside the car, remembering ashtrays, the glove box and other small compartments before vacuuming the interior.
  • While inside, address the dashboard and trim by choosing an automotive cleaner with a glossy shine. In order to capture the buyer’s sense of smell, use either a spray or an air freshener to steer minor odours. There are literally hundreds of products out there that can do the job!
  • Correct any minor rust spots or body work that you can complete inexpensively. Don’t be afraid to ask for a quote! [Link]
  • Do a full detail (see our blog post: detailing your car link a professional [link]) this is by far the easiest and most cost effective way to improve your cars sell-ability. But rather than eating up your afternoon, you may want to opt for a complete professional detailing.

 

Now for the customary repairers plug:

We help a lot of customers who are looking to sell their vehicle. In fact a big part of our customer base are fleet customers and private customers who are looking to move their cars on to better places.