Important Message To Consumers

There are no education requirements for collision repairers in Massachusetts. Any education or certifications held by a collision repair facility are voluntary. If the repairer is educated or holds any OEM certifications, it is because the repair facility chose to educate and you are probably at the right shop. Unfortunately, because education is not a requirement, most shops do not.

Insurance carriers often create contracts with collision repairers. Although these contracts may appear to be beneficial to the vehicle owner, there are important things to consider. The agreements made between insurance carriers and collision repairers are for financial gains and in most cases, education, proper equipment, and commitment to follow OEM recommendations and procedures, are not included in the contractual agreement between the two parties.

You need to be aware of this.

Although the insurance carrier states they will guarantee the repairs if they are done at a preferred shop, they are not making a guarantee that:

  • The preferred shop has any education
  • The preferred shop will use OEM recommended equipment
  • The preferred shop will follow OEM repair procedures
  • ADAS requirements will be researched.
  • Necessary ADAS calibrations will be performed

How can the insurer state they will guarantee the repairs if they do not require any of these aforementioned items? Perhaps it is because the liability for unsafe repairs would fall upon the collision repairer and not the insurance carrier? We are not stating that this is the reason, but it is worth considering.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER BEFORE CHOOSING A PREFERRED SHOP:

  • Are your preferred shops mandated to follow OEM repair procedures?
  • Are your preferred shops mandated to provide hard copy proof of ADAS research and completed calibrations?
  • Do you mandate that your preferred shops show proof of collision repair education?
  • May I please review a copy of the ADAS, Education and Tooling required for the shops that have signed a contract with you?
  • May I please have a copy of the contract your preferred shops are required to sign?
  • Do you require your partner shops to provide me with a written lifetime warranty?

QUESTIONS TO ASK OF YOUR COLLISION REPAIR FACILITY:

There are certain things that educated collision repairers are fully aware of and encounter every day. ADAS, (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) have been installed in vehicles since 2016. Some manufacturers started even earlier. When collision repairs are made, these ADAS systems can be affected. Simply removing a bumper cover, headlamp, tail lamp, or other component might require the recalibration of an ADAS system. Educated repairers are aware of this. They research the manufacturer’s requirements specifically for the repairs they are making.

Welding and vehicle construction are also major concerns when repairing a vehicle. Educated collision repairers research the vehicle’s construction. Regarding steel, it is imperative to know what type of steel is being repaired. Mild steel, High strength steel, and Ultra high strength steel are used in your vehicle’s construction. Different steel types require different repair methods. Some steel types can be damaged by excessive heating or by using incorrect welding equipment during the repair. Failure to identify the steel type prior to repairing it can result in weakening the vehicle’s structure.

It is important to determine that the collision facility you are about to choose has education, the proper equipment, and the motivation to repair your vehicle safely and properly. Repairers may not admit that they are uneducated. Some simply don’t realize there are things they don’t know about repairing today’s vehicle. Just because they have been in business for a long time, doesn’t mean they have stayed current with proper repair methods. Don’t assume.  

Ask these questions. If your repairer seems confused or uncertain, this could be a reason to reconsider your choice of repairer.

  • What is ADAS ?
  • What is your ADAS research procedure?
  • Who performs my ADAS Calibrations?
  • Do you include proof of ADAS research and calibrations with my final invoice?
  • Do you provide a written lifetime warranty?
  • What is STRW?
  • What is Silicon Bronze?
  • What is UHSS?
  • How do you research OEM procedures?
  • Do you provide proof of OEM research upon request?
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