Category: Auto Body Shop
When you are involved in a car wreck, you may not have the time to research where you want your car fixed. When your insurance company recommends a collision repair center, it may seem like an easy solution to go with that shop. However, you have the right to choose where you want your vehicle repaired.
You want to rest assured that your car will be repaired properly, which is why you want certified collision repair. This means that the technicians at that location have completed rigorous training by the manufacturer to repair that vehicle model. An insurance company may or may not recommend a body shop in Houston that offers certified repair and that is why you will want to choose your own shop.
Using the Insurance Recommendation
The majority of insurance companies have a list of auto body shops they have established relationships and that meet their criteria that may include cheaper prices and fast repairs. The company may recommend one of these shops, but you are not required to use that body shop.
If you decide it is easier and will save you time to use the recommended shop, be sure to ask questions. Find out if that collision center uses cheaper parts to offset low insurance payments. Ask others you know about that location and do a quick search online for reviews.
Perks of a Recommended Body Shop
Using a body shop recommended by your insurance company can have benefits. Ask if your insurance provider will guarantee the repairs for as long as you own it. If the repairs do not hold up at any time while you own the car, your insurance company will take care of this and you will not have to pay.
Fogle Collision Centers works with any insurance company. We are considered a preferred collision center with most providers. Because we believe in providing you the highest quality repairs, we always use OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, parts to ensure they fit, will function properly, and your car maintains its value. If you would like to know more about our repair process, give us a call. When you need collision repair, use our quick and simple estimating tool for a free estimate for collision repair straight from your smartphone.
Every local auto body shop has an owner and a manager. While these individuals lead the day-to-day operations of the business, have you ever wondered who requires collision repair shops to be in compliance with any regulations? The real answer is that there is not a comprehensive law in Texas that governs collision repair. However, there are still inspections and regulations that must be met.
Anytime you have an issue with auto body repairs made to your car or the process to make those repairs, you should always speak with the management first. Depending on the issue, there are state agencies and organizations that can assist.
Not What You Paid For
It’s always good practice to review your bill before paying and take a close look at the work that was completed. If you believe unnecessary repairs were made, you were charged for a new part but instead received a used part, or if you paid for a part and it was never replaced, you could contact the Texas Attorney General’s office to determine if your circumstance falls under the Deceptive Trade Practices – Consumer Protection Act.
This goes beyond quality and the body shop’s business practices need to be reviewed because it’s possible this may have happened to more than one customer.
Requirements for Body Shops
All collision repair shops have to follow regulations set forth by state agencies. A Houston body shop, like Fogle Collision Centers, has to follow environmental rules established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
These rules focus on air quality, proper waste disposal, water, and other regulations that body shops must comply with every day. The agency ensures a collision shop follows these rules and makes the necessary repairs or adjustments if the shop violates these rules.
Fogle Collision is here for any of our customers should they have a concern over their repairs or our procedures. We welcome feedback at any time so we can continuously improve what we do and provide customers the best quality collision repair. Contact us for a free estimate and we will exceed your expectations for auto body repair.
Anytime a car owner has work performed on his or her vehicle, it’s typically expected that the collision repair will last. However, there’s not a 100 percent guarantee of that. This is why it is important to have the auto body repairs made at a local auto body shop that offers a lifetime warranty.
If a body shop in Houston offers lifetime warranty, this means that shop guarantees the work performed will be the best quality and the shop backs that promise with the warranty, should anything go wrong with the repairs.
The Benefits of Lifetime Warranty
A warranty is similar to the idea of insurance. It’s there should you need it. Typically, a lifetime warranty is good for as long as you own the vehicle. If a problem occurs with any of the repairs made and it’s months or years later, you can take it back to that body shop and the issue will be fixed with no cost to you.
The collision repair shop will be out the cost of the warranty repair work. When it loses money on repairs, that shop will likely review what went wrong with the repairs and learn how to correct it so the repairs will last in the future.
Multiple Warranties
The best time to inquire about a lifetime warranty is when you get the estimate. Ask if there are different types of warranties offered. Some collision repair centers will offer more than one warranty, one for body work and a separate one for any paint services.
Fogle Collision Centers, an auto body shop in Houston, we stand behind the work we do on your car by offering a National Limited Lifetime Warranty for body work and the Axalta Nationwide Guarantee for any paint work.
Give us a call for a free estimate and our friendly team will answer any questions you may have about the warranties we offer. Our goal is to provide the highest quality repairs that will last. We’ll get your car repaired so you can get back on the Houston roads.
When a car has been damaged in a wreck, some of the damage will be obvious, such as a broken taillight or a dented door. What is not immediately noticeable, and may not be possible to see unless you are a properly trained auto body repair expert, is any damage that may be behind the body of the vehicle.
Technicians are trained to look for damage in the operating parts and the computer system within a car. They know if there is further damage beyond the cosmetics of the vehicle.
A Dent May Not Be Just a Dent
Never assume that if a collision is minor that the damage is just a dent. For example, if someone backs into your car and puts a dent in your car door, there could be further damage inside the door, such as the power windows not operating properly.
If the dents are much larger and more caved in to the vehicle, the car should definitely be inspected by a technician for safety reasons. As an auto body shop in Houston and the surrounding area for many years, we offer free repair estimates so our customers can determine if they want or need to repair the car.
Review the Estimate
When you bring your vehicle in to a Houston body shop, the location should give you a repair estimate. At Fogle Collision Center, we provide free estimates for all customers. This estimate explains the cost for parts and the labor to repair the vehicle. Be sure to review the estimate and ask any questions before the work begins so that you have a good understanding of what you are paying to fix.
The helpful team at Fogle will explain the estimate to you and can answer any questions you have regarding the cost and process.
Fogle Collision has a simple way to get the estimate process started. Visit our new Smartphone Estimating Tool and you will get a repair estimate within 24 hours of submitting photos. This estimate is preliminary to give you an initial idea of the cost because it is based on damage that is visible in the photos. Once a technician takes a close look at the vehicle, we can determine if there is further damage underneath the body of the car. Download the tool today so you have it ready if you do get into an accident.
Screens in cars located between the driver and passenger, often referred to as vehicle infotainment systems, are becoming a common feature on most newer cars. Like many other devices, including cell phones, these are adding to driver distractions that are adding to distractions that have drivers choosing body shop locations that will repair their car.
The AAA Foundation conducted a study recently that showed while the technology is convenient in some ways, it results in some startling statistics related to distractions while driving.
New Law in the Lone Star State
The most commonly talked about distraction while driving is using a cell phone. That’s why legislation was created to address this issue. As of September 1 in Texas, it is against the law to text, read, or write email or messages on your phone while driving. This law refers to wireless communication devices and does not address the in-car systems.
As with any device, law enforcement officials urge drivers to only focus on the road while operating a vehicle and not concentrating on anything else.
Greater Chance of Having a Collision
In the past, AAA has conducted studies regarding driver distraction and discovered that if a driver stops focusing on the road for just two seconds, that can double the chance of having a car wreck.
The most recent study found that when drivers use the in-car technology systems, on average they had more than 40 seconds of mental and visual distraction. And about 40 percent of drivers nationwide use these systems. The study compared drivers using 30 different types of systems, including those that allowed web surfing and checking social media sites. This can lead to a serious car accident and needing a Houston body shop.
Fogle Collision Centers has been part of the Houston area for many years. We work and live here, and we care about our community. No one wants to experience an accident caused by distracted driving. It is our hope that all drivers in our area do more than follow the laws and focus on the road at all times. If you do get into an accident, we are here to repair your car so you can safely get back on the road again.
It’s the season for family and friends to come together and enjoy time spent with one another. This can mean travelling by car, along with many others who will head out on the highways and roads. With more travelers, it increases the chances of getting into an accident and needing a body shop in Houston.
Always have patience in traffic. It helps to leave early for your destination so you don’t feel rushed. Prior to leaving and while on the road, remember a few other tips so you get to your destination safely.
Get a Good Night’s Rest
Never take a road trip while drowsy. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 72,000 accidents nationwide are caused by drowsy drivers.
If you do travel overnight, consider traveling a short distance and then stopping for a rest break. If you are having difficulty focusing on the road, that is a sign you should not drive.
Monitor the Roads and Weather
Prior to leaving for your road trip, take another look at the road and weather conditions to determine if you could encounter any hazardous travel. If so, pay attention to travel warnings and if it is unsafe for driving, wait until the conditions improve. Follow this same step on the return home.
If you do not feel comfortable driving on snow, look for alternate methods of travel or different routes to take so you can avoid having an accident.
Watch Your Surroundings
Accidents can happen on residential roads, rural roads, and major freeways. No matter the time of day, pay close attention to everything around you while driving. If you are on a busy freeway, pay attention to other cars and anything on the road. When a route takes you down a wooded area, watch for animals such as deer that could dart in front of your car. Watch out for children riding new bikes or playing with toys in residential areas.
At Fogle Collision Centers, a Houston body shop, we want everyone to be safe when traveling for the holidays. If you are in a collision, give us a call for a free estimate and we’ll exceed your expectations for efficient auto body repair.
Annually across the country, there are more than one million deer-related accidents. The Houston area is no stranger to these types of collisions and as a local auto body shop, Fogle Collision Centers repairs dozens of cars involved in accidents with deer each year.
Anytime you are driving, it is important to keep your eyes on the road and especially pay close attention when driving in wooded areas where deer may suddenly come out and run toward cars.
Pay Attention
Deer typically roam more often during dusk or dawn, so pay attention if you are driving during these hours. If you are not familiar with the area where you are driving, look for caution signs that alert drivers to deer in the area.
Remember, if you only see one deer there may be more deer nearby because they normally travel in packs.
Make a Bright Path
If the roads are not well lit and you do not have oncoming traffic, use high beams to create a brighter path and give you a better opportunity to see a deer before you come upon it.
Keep Control
If you see a deer, slow down and brake firmly, but never swerve. Swerving can cause you to hit another car or lose control.
Using extra caution can help to avoid an accident, but it still may not be possible to prevent hitting a deer. If you do get into an accident and the deer is on or near the road, do not approach it. Call law enforcement and the local game warden. An injured deer could potentially injure you and it’s best to have trained professionals care for an injured deer. If the deer is dead, it is okay to move it off the road, but it is against the law in Texas to take the deer with you.
If you do have an accident and need auto body repair, our Online Estimating Tool offers fast and free estimates directly from your Smartphone. The team at Fogle Collision is happy to help and will get you back on the road quickly. We will help you from the moments after the collision to after your car is repaired. For the best auto body shop Houston has to offer, let the Fogle team give you a hassle-free repair experience.
Quality has always been a top consideration for collision repair shops when purchasing paint. Now, shops must also think about safety to the environment.
Choosing body shop locations that will provide the quality you expect and be friendly to the environment takes research. When you inquire with body shops you are considering, ask if they use water-based, or waterborne, paints.
Using Waterborne Paint
Waterborne paints have benefits beyond being safer to the environment than lacquer-based paints used in the past. Waterborne paint has heavier viscosity and applies three coats of coverage in nearly half a mil thickness. This means less clear coat is needed to even out the surface.
Only paint technicians trained to use waterborne paint should perform the paint job to a vehicle for a quality result. Imperfections will appear easier and the paint is sensitive to humid conditions. Different blends are available in more humid climates. If a technician is not used to working with water-based paints, the paint can have a different hue when wet, but it dries true to its color.
The Difference of Waterborne Paint
Prior to using waterborne paint, many auto body shops in Houston used, and some still use, solvent-based paints. This type of paint has higher levels of organic solvents and when it dries it releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs are known for having a toxic impact.
Water-based paints have improved over the years and are quickly replacing the use of solvent-based paint. Waterborne paints feature acrylic emulsions that offer a faster drying time, similar to solvent paints. It also has less odor and greater durability.
Our team at Fogle Collision Centers is trained to provide an exceptional quality paint job to your vehicle using waterborne paints. Give us a call today for a free estimate and we’ll give your car a fresh look that is safer to the environment.
When you contact your insurance agent after an accident, the company may recommend an auto body repair shop for repairs. But the choice is always yours on which collision center you want to use. It doesn’t have to be one recommended by your insurance.
As you choose a body shop, remember that you want certified collision repair. This means the technicians at that repair shop have been trained by the manufacturers to properly and safely make repairs to your specific model of vehicle. If you know the repair shops recommended to you offer certified repairs, then it is important to decide if it is in your best interest to choose from the recommendations.
Insurance Guarantee
Choosing a recommended repair shop could have benefits. Some insurance companies will guarantee the repairs for as long as you own the vehicle. If there is an issue with the repairs, they will be fixed at no cost to you.
Deciding on the Recommendation
Most insurance providers have a group of collision centers that are considered preferred repair shops. Remember, your agent can’t make you use a shop on their list. You have the right to choose where you want your vehicle repaired.
Preferred repair shops normally meet criteria set up by the insurance provider, such as meeting their quick deadlines for repair and providing the services at a low cost. Efficient repairs should still maintain quality and faster does not always mean the work is performed correctly. If you choose to use a recommended shop, ask if that shop uses less expensive parts or parts from the manufacturer. Some shops may cut costs by using cheaper parts because of low payments from insurance companies.
Fogle Collision Centers is a preferred body shop with most insurance companies, but we work with any insurance provider. At all of our auto body repair shops in Houston, Katy, League City, and Cypress, we use manufacturer recommended parts for the highest quality repairs. Contact our team for a free estimate or download our estimating tool on your smartphone for a quick and easy process that will get you back on the road.
As the Houston area was recovering from Hurricane Harvey, a new state law went into effect on September 1. It is now illegal to write, send, or read on your phone while driving. Last year in Texas, distracted driving accidents killed more than 450 people and the number of accidents increased by three percent.
As a local auto body shop in Houston, Katy, League City, and Cypress, the damaged vehicles from these accidents in our area are brought to Fogle Collision Centers for collision repair, if they are not totaled. Understanding the new law is not only important to avoid a fine and ticket, but also for safety.
Steps to Practice Not Texting and Driving
If you are a driver who feels the need to immediately respond to a text or social media message, it is time to get in the habit of not using your phone while driving. The easiest way to avoid the temptation is to commit yourself to safe driving and place your cell out of reach.
City ordinances that were in effect prior to the state law are still enforced, including hands-free ordinances. Invest in a Bluetooth device if your car is not equipped with this feature. This will allow you to talk and also send messages through a voice-to-text app or feature on your phone.
Know the Law
With the new law, drivers can still make and receive phone calls, however if you are making a call while driving it must be hands-free. Use a voice activated feature on your phone to dial the number for you. The law does not prevent you from texting or reading while stopped, but once the car is in motion you must put the cell down.
If an officer sees a driver with his or her head looking down or the car not maintaining a lane, the officer can pull the car over to determine if the driver was texting.
We know accidents can happen, but texting and driving accidents can be prevented. If you are in an accident, we are here to help make the repair process efficient. Contact our team at Fogle Collision for a free estimate or download (not while driving) our fast and easy estimating tool. We’ll get you an estimate so auto body repairs can begin and you can get back on the road.