There's a sickening sound of metal on metal whenever someone hits your car that is unmistakable. The first thing you think of is: is everyone OK? The second thing you probably think of is: how much is this going to cost? Do-It-Yourself auto body repair is certainly a tempting thought, especially in these tough times, but is it really a good idea?
First of all, keep in mind that if you are not at fault chances are good that the other party's insurance will pay for any and all costs related to the accident, including: auto body repair, repainting, rental car, and so forth. Why do it yourself when you can easily have it done by a professional at no cost to you other than your time? A good auto body shop will thoroughly examine your car, draw up a preliminary estimate, and send the estimate off (with photographs) to the insurance company for you: easy.
Even if you have all kinds of experience in doing paint jobs, touching up scratches or banging out small dents, keep in mind that if you have been involved in a collision of any kind there is always the risk of damage to the undercarriage, frame, alignment, etc. Those kinds of repairs are best left to professionals who know what trouble signs to look for and what to do about them. Did you know that if your frame is not properly repaired following an accident, the consequences can be dire? If you were hit going 20 miles an hour the first time, the same type of accident again could result in even more damage and more severe injuries.
The bottom line is: DIY is great for oil changes, basic car maintenance, and even extremely minor repairs to a car's chassis. But it's worth a few bucks (if you were at fault) or a little bit of time (if someone else was at fault) to get the job done right the first time by your favorite Utah auto body specialist or a shop in the state where you live.
