There have been numerous changes in vehicle design and technology over the past five years. The repair standards and requirements to restore these after an accident have changed, too. However, in many cases, your standard insurance coverage hasn’t kept up with these changes, and could leave you with a shortfall in coverage or a vehicle that isn’t safely repaired to your expectations. CARSTAR, which handles more insurance-related collision repair work than any other network in North America, offers a few tips to help ensure your auto insurance provides thorough coverage for you and your vehicle. In all cases, check with your insurance agent or carrier to see what is offered in your state. “You should evaluate your insurance coverage not just by the deductible but by the repair standards it covers and those required for your vehicle,” said Arlo Johnson, SVP Insurance, Collision & Glass Vertical, for Driven Brands, CARSTAR’s parent company. “You need to understand if your vehicle requires OEM or aftermarket parts – and what the policy covers, if pre- and post-repair scanning are covered, if calibration is required and if OEM repair standards guide the repair process. This helps ensure your safety on the road in your repaired vehicle and preserves the value of that investment.” Here are several factors to review when securing new coverage or renewing a policy:

• Advanced Technology Scanning – The vehicle’s advanced technology, or ADAS, protects you in traffic. But after an accident, does your policy cover full repair of this technology, included pre-and post-repair scanning? There are hundreds of computer codes required to manage all the operations of the vehicle. By having the collision repair facility scan those codes before the repair, they – and you – can get a more complete evaluation of the repair needed. A scan afterward ensures that all of the repair needs have been met. A high-quality collision repair facility will always conduct pre- and post-repair scans of your vehicle.
• System Calibration -- Many vehicles with advanced technology have cameras around the exterior to provide lane warnings, backup alerts and front distance notifications. Following certain types of collisions, these may need to be recalibrated to ensure they are performing correctly. It is important to double-check that your policy covers this when you have a newer vehicle.
• OEM Parts – Repair standards from the vehicle manufacturers typically ensure the safest collision repair processes to return that vehicle to pre-accident condition. Many times, this mandates OEM parts designed specifically for that vehicle. Review your policy to ensure that OEM parts are covered on a newer vehicle. However for a vehicle that is more than five years old, you might select the option of aftermarket parts based on the value of the vehicle.
• Hybrid and EV Repairs – For today’s hybrids and electric vehicles, the repair processes are very different. It is important that your insurance cover these types of repairs – at a qualified collision repair facility. These repairs can be more expensive than traditional vehicles, so you should factor that into your ongoing maintenance costs.

“Should an unfortunate incident occur, it is important to carefully choose a collision repair partner who is certified and equipped to repair your vehicle back to pre-collision quality,” said Johnson. “Research repair locations who are certified by the manufacturer of your vehicle, carry I-CAR Gold training or have third-party quality certifications. You should also consider collision repair facilities that are part of a national network. They usually have more access to technician training, certification programs and repair information so can be a more qualified choice for collision repair.”
 
If you do get into an accident, be sure to take photos of the accident scene, vehicle license plates and drivers’ information with your phone for your records. Call 1-800-CARSTAR if you have an accident and they can send a tow truck, contact the insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair the vehicle. For information and store locations visit www.CARSTAR.com.
 
About CARSTAR
CARSTAR is North America’s largest network of independently owned and operated collision repair facilities with more than 700 locations in 35 states and 10 Canadian provinces. A part of the Driven Brands family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands, CARSTAR delivers national scale, premier vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes and the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings. CARSTAR has maintained its commitment to give back to the communities it serves through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including raising over $4 million for cystic fibrosis research, care and advocacy across North America. CARSTAR is actively seeking new franchise partners and interested parties should contact 844-906-9764 or visit CARSTARfranchise.com.