Collision Repair Information
What you need to know to be an informed consumer
What to do if you’re in a collision
How to make repairing your vehicle as stress-free as possible
Thinking clearly after an accident can be difficult, but making sure you have the right information is critical when you’re working with your insurance company to get your vehicle back to the same condition it was in before the accident. Be sure to:
- Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of the other drivers, passengers and witnesses
- Notify the police and have a report filed
- Review your insurance policy and write down any questions you have
- Notify your insurance company immediately
- Choose a collision repair center
Getting back to pre-accident condition
How to make sure your vehicle looks and drives the same way it did before the collision
An accident is stressful for both you and your vehicle. The impact can affect anything, from alignment to sensors to the paint job. It’s up to you to choose the collision repair center. Only someone who knows everything about your vehicle, bumper to bumper, is best equipped to get it back to pre-accident condition.
And you should understand the difference between the three types of crash parts that could be used in your repair:
- Original equipment (OE) parts or Genuine Ford crash parts are designed and engineered to perform just like the ones that came on your vehicle
- New aftermarket crash parts are unauthorized copies of genuine crash parts. While cheaper, you’ll sacrifice quality and possible resale value
- Salvaged crash parts are parts recovered from totaled vehicles. Since you don’t know where they came from, there could be issues with quality
The most important rule of thumb to follow in collision repair is to ask that only original equipment parts are used. It’s the only way you can make sure that your vehicle is going to perform and be as safe as it was before the accident. If the shop you choose says they won’t be using OE parts, you can say no to them. It’s your choice.
A Ford or Lincoln Mercury Certified Collision Repair Center has everything your vehicle needs. They:
- Are committed to your 100% satisfaction
- Use equipment that’s Ford approved
- Use original equipment parts
- Have technicians with the most up-to-date training, straight from the factory
- Follow strict repair standards
- Have a lifetime limited warranty on workmanship*
*See Don Chalmers Ford for details.
Do you have the right auto insurance coverage?
How to choose an insurance policy that’ll cover the right collision repair for your vehicle – not just the cheapest
Be sure to read the fine print when you’re shopping for an insurance policy. You may find out too late that it doesn’t cover original equipment parts, your accessories and possibly even labor costs. And that’s one problem that can’t be fixed after you have an accident.
Ask your insurance agent if he offers policies that:
- Cover you if you’re in a collision
- Cover replacing parts with original equipment
- Cover the replacement of your accessories
- Cover all or part of the labor at a Certified Collision Repair Center
- Cover the cost of a rental car
Some policies also include coverage for loaner vehicles, lodging if you’re away from home, towing, etc. If they don’t, take a look at Ford Extended Service Plans. Many of them have loaner vehicles, lodging and towing as a benefit if you can’t drive your vehicle.
