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Collision repair guides
Short, plain answers to the questions drivers ask after a collision, from iDeal Automotive Group.
What is going on with your car?
Just had a crash? Send one photo and your number. A person at iDeal Automotive Group will try to reach you.
Show us the damageHave an estimate and a question about it? Tell us what it says. A person at iDeal Automotive Group will try to reach you.
Ask about my estimateWant a body shop to see the damage? Send one photo and your number. A person at iDeal Automotive Group will try to reach you.
Show us the damageWorried about damage you cannot see? Tell us where the car was hit. A person at iDeal Automotive Group will try to reach you.
Tell us where it was hitBrakes or alignment feel off? Tell us what you notice. A person at iDeal Automotive Group will try to reach you.
Tell us what you notice
What are the warning signs of brake and alignment problems?AAA lists squealing, shaking when braking, a harder or spongy pedal, pulling to one side and a puddle under the car as signs your brakes may need service, and says to have a technician check them as soon as possible.
Hit-and-run or uninsured driver in New York: what to doHit by a driver who left or has no insurance?
How is paint matched to my car?Matching paint takes more than a color code.
How do I choose a collision repair shop?It's your car, and in New York the choice of shop is yours, according to the state's DFS.
What is the difference between OEM, aftermarket and used auto parts?OEM parts are made by the car's original manufacturer, aftermarket parts are made by another company to work like the original, and used (recycled) parts were on another vehicle and then removed and resold.
What is the difference between paintless dent repair and body filler?Paintless dent repair removes a dent by pushing or pulling the metal without damaging the finish, and it needs access to the back of the panel without cutting holes.
What photos and notes should I take after a car accident?If it is safe, AAA advises taking photos of the damage on every vehicle involved and writing down the date, time, location, road conditions and weather.
Will I get a rental car after a car accident?New York's DFS says rental reimbursement is an optional coverage on your own auto policy that pays for a substitute car while yours is out of use after a covered loss, until it is repaired or declared a total loss.
What are the signs of hidden damage after a car accident?Some damage from a fender bender may not be visible, and even a minor hit can affect sensors that sit behind a bumper.
After a crash in New York City, who tows my car, and where does it go?In New York City, after a crash the police direct a licensed tow company to a car that cannot be driven, according to the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).
What does a written repair estimate show?A written estimate lists each part and its cost, says whether each part is used or not original quality, and shows the labor for each repair and how it is figured.
What does the check-engine light mean?A steady check-engine light means the car's computer found a problem and stored a code, and Consumer Reports says to schedule a check as soon as possible.
What happens after you send a requestYou tell us what happened.
What happens if more damage is found after an estimate?A car can have more damage than anyone could see when the first estimate was written, and the estimate can change once it is found.
What is under a car bumper?A bumper is more than its painted cover.
What does the New York State inspection check?New York's DMV says each car and light truck registered in New York must be inspected at least every 12 months.
What should I do after a car accident?Safety comes first: if anyone is hurt, call 911, and if no one is hurt and the car can be driven, move it out of traffic when it is safe and do not leave the scene.
When should I replace my tires, and what pressure should they have?AAA recommends replacing tires at 4/32 inch of tread, and Consumer Reports says to start shopping around then, well before New York's inspection minimum of 2/32.
Why can a windshield or bumper repair need a sensor check?Many cars have driver-assist cameras and sensors that have to be aimed correctly to work.Request a repair estimate
Tell us what happened and where the damage is. A person at iDeal Automotive Group will try to reach you and connect you with one of our body shops.
Use the estimate form Calls to this number are answered by iDeal Automotive Group, who connect you to one of our body shops. Ask for a specific shop if you have one.(917) 672-3726