When Mother Nature does her thing, and your vehicle is the recipient of dozens-to-hundreds of hail-induced dings and dents you are well-advised to know everything you can about the process of the repair.

If you decide to make a claim with your insurance company, you will be required to allow the insurance adjuster to write an initial estimate of repair.  In many cases, these initial estimates are intentionally (and illegally) written “light”.  That is to say, the estimate is not enough to cover the actual cost of a quality repair.

Why would insurance adjusters intentionally write an estimate in violation of Colorado State law CRS 10-4-120, (II) (3) (b)? It is estimated that 50-70% of all hail damage claims are not repaired.  They take advantage of this knowledge. In other words, the insurance companies know that more than half of their insured (you) will cash the claim check without actually repairing the damage, choosing to put up with the dents and pocketing the claim money.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you cash the insurance claim check and decide not to repair your car, you in essence “settle” for the amount of that check.  Keep in mind that most insurance estimates are written “light”, and the actual value of your vehicle’s damage was not represented.  This becomes very important if you ever decide to sell your vehicle, as the entire amount of the damage (including diminished value) will be deducted from the purchase price.

Another very common practice on the part of many insurance companies is to strongly “suggest” that you take your car to one of their “preferred” shops.  In fact, after a hail storm, many insurance companies will set up an estimate station on the property of one of their preferred (DRP) auto body shops.  Under the guise of “customer convenience”, they will write the estimate and introduce you to the body shop management who will gladly schedule your vehicle’s repair on the spot.  This subtle form of “steering” (illegal in many states) puts pressure on you to use that body shop.  Buyer beware: you have the right to choose any body shop you want to repair your vehicle, and the insurance company is required by law to pay to have your car repaired to it’s pre-loss condition.  What YOU pay (your deductible) does NOT change… and in most cases, hail damage is considered an act of God, so your future rates will NOT be affected.

TRADITIONAL vs PDR

If you decide to move forward with repairing your vehicle, the body shop you choose will also write an estimate.  Depending upon the amount and severity of the hail damage, they will advise one of two courses of action: PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) or Traditional body work (or a combination of the two).  In many cases, PDR is the best for hail damage.

Nylund’s General Manager, John Groome says that “in most cases, we write our estimates with the intent to PDR hail damage wherever possible – as it is preferred to save a panel rather than replace a panel”.  There are cases when replacing a component is necessary, but those repairs often increase the complexity, cost or timeline of the vehicle’s repair.

NOTE: If the insurance company writes the estimate to replace your vehicle’s roof, there are literally dozens of questions that you should ask the body shop before moving ahead.  A roof replacement is a very complex repair that affects the vehicle’s structural integrity as well as many of the safety features.  If you’d like to discuss these questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Once the body shop’s estimate is complete, they will submit it to the insurance company – and typically there will be a back and forth until both companies agree to the repair plan.  The good news is, you rarely have to engage in that process.  If you chose an insurance company’s “preferred” body shop, there will be no back and forth, as they are directed by the insurance company to proceed with the least expensive repair.  If you choose Nylund’s Collision Center, we handle all of the details of your repair for you, making sure that no corners are cut, and that your vehicle will be repaired to perfection.

CONSUMER ALERT: After a large hail event, you may notice an influx of storm-chasing hail repair centers popping up around your community.  There is a significant risk in taking your car to one of these makeshift temporary “shops”.  Many times the techs are from out of state or even out of the country, and will be difficult or impossible to find should you require them to fix something they repaired.  It is far better to find a trusted, well-respected body shop who will do the repair right, and be there to stand behind their work.

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Here is the conversation as it happened between the Claimant (our guest) and the independent body shop (Nylund’s Collision Center):

Claimant: I very much appreciate your offer to have the car in for repair on Feb 14. However, I do want to update you with the fact that American Family Insurance (AmFam) sent me a check for the amount of $4276.13.  I have filed it and will not cash it.  I feel the sending of this check is very inappropriate.  I am very concerned about this behavior on the part of AmFam. And I ask again if-given this behavior on the part of AmFam – do I need to consider hiring an attorney?

Nylund’s: All your concerns are valid and you posed great questions.  I wish this process were easier on everyone, unfortunately it’s not the case.

We are aware of AmFam’s initial estimate.  It is in no way inclusive of all that will be needed to repair your vehicle back to undetectable, pre-loss condition.  The initial estimates rarely are.

I don’t believe there is any reason to hire a lawyer quite yet.  That being said, Let’s chat about a few of your concerns and the options available.

Claimant: I asked you if I would be held responsible for any amount that AmFam refuses to pay.  It seems that once you have the car and have it fully assessed that you will again negotiate with AmFam.  However – with a worst case scenario that they refuse to pay – what then?  Now may car is in pieces in your repair shop-how do I go on from there?  

Nylund’s: In order to get Amfam to adjust their initial estimate, the vehicle will have to be disassembled and all the damage shown to the insurance adjuster.

We have no doubt they will increase their initial estimate.  The question is: will they cover all the necessary repairs?  The answer is there is no way to know until we are in the middle of it.  We go through a great deal of research on each and every vehicle and print out the manufacturer’s procedures and position statements to review and provide the insurance company when they re-inspect the disassembled vehicle.  The reason we go through all of this is to convince the insurance company of the correct way to repair the vehicle and influence them to pay for the proper repairs.

So let’s say they don’t want to pay completely for the correct repairs we describe.  If you want us to continue with the repairs, then yes, initially you will be responsible for the difference.  Here is the reason.  This is your vehicle and  the contract to repair the vehicle is between you and us. The insurance company (whether yours or someone else’s) indemnifies you, the vehicle owner as we have no contract directly with them.  

As far as any potential difference goes, many times that difference will go down because we will continue to send supplements into the insurance company during the repairs with additional documentation and photos and they will generally continue to pay a little more each time reducing the initial difference.

There are also other alternatives.

Let’s say we cannot come to an agreement with the insurance company.  You can request AmFam to remove the vehicle from our shop and bring it to one of their shops that will have to repair it for what they wrote.  The quality of the repairs will be a potential question, but you will not have to come out of pocket for anything.  

Now, let’s say that the vehicle was repaired by AmFam’s shop and the repairs were found to be substandard.  Because the repairs were completed at one of their contract shops, AmFam has to guarantee the repairs performed.   

We end up doing many, many re-repairs of vehicles that have been repaired poorly from these shops and the insurance company has to stand behind the repair and pay us to re-repair the vehicle.

Interesting that insurance companies would rather take this long road and end up paying much more than if they just paid us to repair it correctly the first time.  But unfortunately for the consumer, it happens like this quite often.

Here is another alternative.

You have us complete the repairs and pay the difference.  During the repair process, you hire a lawyer.  The lawyer sends the person that hit you a letter letting them know that you will be pursuing them directly for any out of pocket expense their insurance is not covering.  Just because they have insurance does not let them off the hook for the loss to your property. The person receiving the letter will most likely call the insurance company to ask what’s going on?  

Many times the insurance company will reassess their position at that point because if it ends up with you suing the person directly for the difference, the insurance company has to pay for and provide the legal defense for their insured in court –  and it is less expensive for them to just pay to have the car repaired correctly instead of going through all the legal expense.

Now in any of the above situations, if you own your car, you are entitled to the diminished value of your vehicle in addition to have the correct repairs completed to your vehicle.  When a vehicle has been repaired, no matter how perfect the repairs are, the vehicle is worth less than the identical vehicle that has never been repaired.  This is known as inherent diminished value.  We have a referral to a company that specializes in assisting you in getting paid this money.  If you did have out of pocket expense, many times that can be added to the diminished value claim.

Because of all the variables, it is very difficult to define how long the vehicle will be down for repairs.  I can tell you this.  It is in our best interest to get the vehicle back to you as quickly as possible because we front all the money for the complete repair and do not deposit a penny until you pick it up.  

Keep in mind, during the repairs they should be providing you a comparable rental vehicle.

You have one more alternative.

If the (insured’s) insurance company refuses to do the right thing and pay the full amount for your vehicle to be properly repaired, you may then go to your insurance company with the request for them to take over the claim. This gives you a higher degree of leverage, as your insurance company is under contract to restore your property to pre-loss condition. (This is not the case with someone else’s insurance company). You will have to pay your deductible – but you are also entitled to access more options to ensure the job gets done properly (ie. the appraisal clause).

Insurance companies have made the process of having your car repaired very complex, we do our very best to be by your side, on your side every step of the way.

I know I have given you a lot of information here, please feel free to reach out with additional question or clarification. No need to despair… we have your back.

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Her beautiful 2000 BMW was hit (rear bumper), and she immediately brought it to Nylund’s for the only type of repair that she will have performed on her beloved car: the right one. This is how it should be.

We received her vehicle, set her up with a rental, and took care of everything for her. We handled all the business of meeting with the insurance company, made sure the repair was done properly and upon completion we invited Sally to pick up her ‘baby’ from our showroom floor.

This photo doesn’t just show the smile of a woman who is excited to pick up her car. It shows the nature of the relationship we have with Sally… and all of our guests here at Nylund’s Collision Center. It shows the authentic friendship between Sally and the ownership of Nylund’s (Carol Grieve pictured on right).

You see, this photo isn’t about a transaction, or that we make bad things go away and restore cars to their original beauty.  It’s about the fact that we know, and genuinely care about every one of our guests.

Sally Wurr is a valuable member of our community. She’s the owner of an amazing business: SW Insurance Corp., and she works as hard as anyone we know. She is loved by her clients, because – like us – she will never compromise the right thing for an easy dollar. Sally is the embodiment of everything that we strive to be here at Nylund’s.

Sally… is our reason why! How it should be.

Contact us to discuss your story!

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Colorado is well documented as one of the three states (Wyoming and Nebraska making up the other two) known as “Hail Alley”. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these states average seven to nine hail days per year.* Because of this designation, it’s understandable that there are associated industries that stand ready to process the claims and repair the damage caused by hail storms.

Terms NORMALLY associated with automotive hail damage claims and repair:

Insurance Agencies
Body Shops

Terms to be AVOIDED with automotive hail damage claims and repair:

Storm Chaser
Tents of ANY KIND
Dealerships
Door Hangers
Flyers

In light of the most recent hail storm here in Denver, the number of storm chasers and (surprisingly) well-known dealerships who have popped up and started advertising that they are in the hail business is not only surprising – but unbelievably dangerous to the consumer.

The problem with storm chasers and the tents they put up right after a storm is this: they exist only to get as much money from consumers as fast as they can. Tent conditions on an abandoned street corner come nowhere near being enough to handle the complexity of many hail cases. The lighting is sub-par. They may or may not have the correct tools to do the job correctly. And God forbid, if something goes wrong or was improperly dis- or reassembled – where will they be to make a claim? They take down their tents and go back to their day jobs in other states. The consumer is left holding the bag of a bad repair.

The problem with most dealerships – simply put – is this: they are NOT in the hail business. Instead, they partner with the above-mentioned storm chasers and put up a temporary station (maybe even a tent) to take advantage of the swell of insurance claim money that floods the market. If the damage requires a paint booth, more than a buff or in the worst cases a completely new roof – they do not have the correct equipment or skilled technicians to handle that work. Dealerships are in the car SALES business… an important fact to keep in mind.

And unfortunately, not all body shops are created equal either. Many treat PDR and hail repair as a seasonal side. They partner with insurance companies to move cars through as fast as possible and preying upon consumers who do not know that they’re being steered to the least expensive, most profitable solution for the INSURANCE company – not the insured.

Here at Nylund’s Collision Center, we have a FULL-TIME, established hail and paintless dent repair (PDR) DEPARTMENT with a consistent staff – and have for several years. From start to finish, we are – and always have been – in the hail repair business. You may rest assured that your vehicle will be repaired properly, and that we have ALL the right tools and skilled technicians to handle every issue that might come up. We only install the right glass for your vehicle. We only repair vehicles one way: the right way.

At Nylund’s Collision Center, if it’s not perfect… it’s not leaving.

*http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/hail/

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How do you know where to go?

This scene plays itself out day after day for thousands upon thousands of people all looking for just one thing: the right place to take their car for repair. And its a fact: there are hundreds of options, and unless you know the ins-and-outs of the collision repair industry – even the best intentioned advice may lead you down a road you might not wish to travel.

Choosing a Body Shop 101

A. Insurance companies’ ‘Preferred’ or ‘Recommended’ shops have a two-way financial arrangement

When an insurance company recommends or suggests that you consider their preferred body shop vendors, they are helping you help themselves.  To make the ‘preferred’ list, body shops DO NOT have to qualify as the best in quality, service or guest experience. They DO have to agree to move cars through the shop as fast as they can, and they MUST NOT contest the insurance company’s demands to use less expensive used or aftermarket parts in your vehicle’s repair.  The name of this game is all about saving the insurance company money – and has little to do with the quality of repair or overall safety of the insured. There is a huge amount of information available for the savvy consumer – and here is a good place to start.  A body shop that is 100% independent of partnerships with insurance companies are often a good alternative when seeking a ‘right’ repair vs. a ‘rushed or cheap’ fix. Please note: these independent body shops will never be included on an insurance company’s ‘preferred’ list – and that is likely the best endorsement of all.

B. Dealerships may or may not provide on-site repair options

Occasionally consumers think that if they take their car to the dealership, they are more likely to get a repair with the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts. Few dealerships actually have body shops on-site.  If the repair is to be handled by an insurance claim, it is the insurance company who typically requires the use of less expensive aftermarket and/or used replacement parts. The great majority of dealerships refer their customer’s repair to outside shops. And those recommendations can usually be trusted, because their own reputation is on the line.

C. Word of mouth can be tricky to navigate

Many people agree that word of mouth is the very best form of marketing, however it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the myriad of voices. Who do you trust? What is the motive behind their referral? Since the rise of Web2.0 and social media, consumers have at their fingertips many different 3rd-party resources that offer (in most cases) true, unbiased reviews of the guest experience. Additionally, its a wise practice to refer to any information available to consumers by way of a shop’s website, involvement in the community and their reputation among industry leaders.  All of this is readily available to the consumer by way of an Internet search, and may prove to be more reliable than by asking close friends and family.

In the end, all reputable body shops guarantee their work.  A simple online search should be followed up by a visit to the shop and a brief interview with the ownership or management.  Remember, you absolutely have a choice of which shop you want to repair your vehicle. In the end, people do business with people that they know, like and trust. If you find one of those people, you’ll discover an excellent experience.

PS: If you’re ever unsure about the quality of repair performed by any body shop, you can always have a visual post-repair inspection done at no charge here at Nylund’s Collision Center.

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You love your car.  That’s why you bought it. It’s been good to you, and you are loyal.  Often to a fault.  Sometimes you have to say goodbye to your favorite ride, but how do you know when that is the best option?

This brand new vehicle was “fixed” by another body shop, and returned to the owner with thumbs up and enthusiasm.  Upon casual observation to the untrained eye, one might have overlooked certain telltale signs of a poor quality repair.  But something just didn’t “feel” right, and that’s when they called Nylund’s in to perform a post-repair inspection.

From uneven gaps to buckles in the roof, this was a completely botched job on the part of the DRP shop.  The number of poorly welded sections and unprepared broken parts were almost too numerous to count. Ultimately, the compromised safety of anyone in the back seat of the car (in this case, a small child in a car seat) was the determining factor in deciding to total this vehicle. The other shop didn’t even address several structural points that had been compromised in the original accident.  Left unrepaired (but hidden from view), another collision from behind could prove catastrophic.

In the end, both Nylund’s Collision Center and the insurance company associated with the claim agreed that it would be far too expensive to re-repair the vehicle to meet all safety and pre-accident conditions.  It was decided to total the vehicle.

If your vehicle is fast-tracked through the repair process, and you’re just not sure the shop provided you with the very best (not just cosmetic) repairs, please feel free to drop it by for a free visual post-repair inspection.  It’s always our pleasure to educate our guests and it’s our sworn duty to make sure that your safety is never compromised by a poorly crafted repair.

*DRP stands for Direct Repair Program, which is an arranged relationship that some body shops have with insurance companies. These relationships, in almost every case, compromises the quality of repair because the body shop must agree to use the least-expensive options for replacement parts.  Here at Nylund’s Collision Center, we have never been a DRP shop – and NEVER WILL BE. Quality and safety in repair is our only mission!

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Some would have you believe that one part (third party or aftermarket) is just as good as the other (original manufactured) part.  This is a fundamental point of disagreement that we have with many insurance companies.  Fact: original parts are designed, patented, tested and safety rated by the manufacturer to offer the very best, safest driving experience possible.  Aftermarket parts, by the very definition of being “replicas” – are not the same as OEM parts.  They are not safety rated or crash tested. And when it comes to the safety of our guests and their families, we simply will not cut corners.

We are the first to acknowledge that our fight on behalf of your safety usually takes more time than simply going with the cheapest parts as recommended by the insurance companies.  We often have to correct their estimates multiple times.  Each delay instituted by the insurance company’s desire to cut costs and compromise safety ends up delaying the overall repair.  But this much we know: this fight is worth it.  Your safety is on the line.

I’m Robert Grieve.  My wife Carol and I are the very proud owners of Nylund’s Collision Center.  We fight… because #YourLivesMatter.

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You pay them every month from the time you’re 16 years old.  They tell you that you’re in good hands.  They assure you that you saved 15% or more in 15 minutes – and that you’ve made a good choice to insure with them.

Then the rains come down, and the floods come up… and the hail… the hail… the hail.  So you do what you’ve been trained to do – you call your insurance company and make a claim.  The adjuster comes out, looks at your vehicle and writes an estimate.  They write for the least expensive, often 3rd party or re-manufactured, ill fitting replacement parts.

The auto body shop you choose has everything to do with the quality of your repair.  If they are in some sort of partnership with the insurance companies, then they will likely put substandard parts into the repair of your vehicle.  If they cut corners in an effort to speed up the repair, those shortcuts could put your safety at risk – and will absolutely affect the resale value of your car.

WHEN SHOULD I CLAIM DIMINISHED VALUE?

It is almost always a wise decision to have a post-repair inspection after a collision repair IF YOU FIT THESE CRITERIA.  These inspections are performed by independent technicians, and reveal the quality of the repair.  Often such an inspection comes along with an estimate of diminished value of your vehicle.  Diminished value is defined as that portion of a damaged vehicle’s pre-loss value that has NOT been restored through the repair process.  Insurance companies do not tell their claimants about diminished value, but they ARE responsible to cover the difference in value (which is almost always thousands of dollars).

Consider this compelling video from our friends Mark’s Body Shop in Baltimore, MD:

Where do you go for a post-repair inspection?  There are many places.  Nylund’s Collision Center has always offered a free visual inspection for anyone wanting to check the quality of repairs performed at other shops.  And who do we refer our own guests to? We recommend the services of Auto Damage Experts, and David Smith. Ultimately, your safety is of paramount importance.  Secondarily, you are entitled to know if your repair was properly executed, and whether you are owed more money than the insurance company originally offered you.

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