Getting your car repaired after an accident is one of the most stressful things a person can experience. You already have to deal with insurance, lack of a vehicle, and perhaps even some injuries. So how long will it take to repair your car at an auto body repair shop, right here in Southern New Jersey?
Cycle Time
If you hear the term “cycle time,” this usually refers to the time it takes to repair your car. Cycle time is measured from the day your vehicle is dropped off at the auto repair shop to when it’s picked up. Although you may already have been given an estimate from your insurance adjuster on how long your car will be in the shop, this number could increase once the actual repair begins.
Below is a breakdown of car repair and the average cycle time duration for each repair. Note that these are not accurate, but are very close to what you can experience for when your car is in the shop.
Windshield Replacement: 1 day
Minor Auto Body Work: 1-2 days
Paint repair: 1-2 days
Bumper repair/replacement: 1 day
Replacement of internal parts: 1-2 weeks
Extensive damage to multiple parts (if not deemed a total loss): over a month
Repair Time Pressures
Insurance companies want you to get your car repaired and back to you as soon as possible. Customers want their car repaired ASAP, and insurance companies want to minimize the time you are in a rental car, also known as length of rental. The problem with that is some repair shops could cut corners if they’re feeling the heat from insurance companies to “hurry up.” It’s not as simple as that.
The Difference in Repair Parts
Depending on how new your car is, the body shop might have to order parts directly from the manufacturer. These are known as Original Equipment Manufacturer parts or OEM for short. They are the highest level of quality parts out there for your car, as they bring your car back to its original condition. If your car is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), then using OEM parts is the only way to go for your repair. Using anything less than what the manufacturer instructs technicians to use for your car could actually cause severe damage to your car in the long run. The way we repair cars is not the same way we would even just a couple of years ago, so why would it be any different today?
The problem here is although insurance companies want you to get your car back ASAP, the focus is on the cheapest repair possible. OEM related repairs are the most expensive because they are sent straight from the manufacturer, unlike aftermarket or even salvage parts that hardly have any use left in them. Not using OEM parts for your vehicle or any other standard vehicle on today’s roads could actually cause the ADAS features to stop working altogether. Thus, making you and your passengers that much more susceptible to another accident.
Added Delays
Since insurance companies want the most affordable option out there for your repair, they’re most likely going to hesitate in paying for an OEM related repair since it is the best quality & most expensive repair. The choice remains in your hands where you wish to get your car repaired. However, only a few insurance policies will allow OEM parts in auto body repairs, such as how old (or new) the vehicle is and the reason for the repair. Depending on where you take your car to be repaired, there could be an added delay if the insurance adjuster has to return to the shop and go over the estimate allocated for your repair.
This has been an on-going debate with some insurance companies for quite some time now, solely for the fact that OEM parts are more expensive than aftermarket parts. Your insurance company may agree to an amount that covers a large portion of the repair, but it’ll be up to you to pay out of pocket for the rest of the expenses. It is certainly the best repair out there for your car, especially since it is exactly as the manufacturer instructs the technicians to repair your vehicle.
We at Autotech Collision Center refuse to repair your car any other way than what the manufacturer tells us.
Who In Southern New Jersey Can I Trust To Repair My Car?
We at Autotech Collision Center have been serving Southern New Jersey for nearly 30 years. We are customer focused and know what it means to perform a safe repair. At Autotech, all of our technicians have received extensive training and are up-to-date on the latest OEM Repair procedures. We will work with you and your insurance company to ensure a stress-free repair.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment or to get an online quote, click any of the buttons below! Or, feel free to give us a call at (856)-232-1833. We look forward to hearing from you!