Spring tornadoes, floods and hailstorms are working their way across the country, leaving totaled, drenched, dented and damaged vehicles in their wake. And hurricane season is right around the corner.
Is your vehicle prepared to face Mother Nature's fury? Do you have the right insurance to recover from any damage? Do you know how to get your vehicle restored to prestorm condition without putting a dent in your wallet?
Ed Gapsch, owner of Gapsch's CARSTAR Collision Center offers the following advice to help car owners deal with spring storms - before and after damage occurs:
1-Check Your Coverage
The time to review your car insurance is not when the weatherman is warning you to get out of town. Review your policy with your agent now to understand what is and isn't covered, what the deductibles are, if you have rental coverage and what to do when the storm hits.
Comprehensive coverage protects against most damage from natural disasters. Two other options to consider are gap coverage - which pays the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your car is worth - and rental reimbursement.
One warning: If you submitted a previous damage claim, received a check from your insurance company and didn't have the vehicle repaired, the insurance company will deduct this amount from your estimate for the storm damage. You'll also be charged a second deductible.
2-Protect Your Vehicle
When you know that a storm is on the way, get your vehicle to higher ground or under cover. If you don't have a garage at home, find a covered public parking garage to protect your car. If you have to park your car outside, park it on ground as high as possible, away from trees and phone poles.
For hail storms, cover your car in an old blanket and a car cover from your local automotive retailer before the storm hits. This will provide some protection for your hood, roof and rear deck lid. If a storm comes up quickly, look for an awning at a service station, the drive-through at the bank or self-serve car wash to get under for immediate protection.
With flood waters on the rise, don't assume your vehicle is watertight. Don't try to drive through water that is higher than halfway up your wheels - approximately 8 inches in most cases. You can get stuck or swept away. Never drive through water if you can't tell how deep it is. Park your car at the highest location available to protect it from rising water. This can prevent a lot of damage later on.
3-Get Your Car Repaired without Despair
Dealing with the aftermath of a big storm can be traumatic, particularly if you've had significant damage to your home or the entire area. But getting your car running again shouldn't add to your stress. Prepare ahead of time for the repairs. CARSTAR offers the following tips:
• >>Make copies of your vehicle registration, title, insurance card and driver's license before the storm hits and secure these and other important documents in a safe, dry place.
• >>After the storm clears, record the damage with photos and video. Sketch what happened, including street names, road signs and details on car movements.
• >>Identify any witnesses. Look for neighbors or area residents who may have seen what happened. Get their names, addresses, phone numbers and their recollection of the storm damage.
•>> Have a collision plan in place. Know where you'd like to have your car repaired ahead of time so you don't have to make a sudden decision.
• >>Collect your personal items. Whether your car is being towed in for repairs or totaled out, make sure you've collected your valuables, electronics, vehicle information, sports equipment and any other items you may need in the future.
4-When you choose a body shop for repairs, remember:
• >>Do your homework and check out the shop, their reputation, the business or trade associations they belong to (including ASA) and if their technicians are I-CAR trained.
•>> All reputable repair facilities will offer a warranty of some sort for the work that they complete. Make sure it is in writing and explained to you completely.
• >>Only trust your vehicle to an established body shop business operating prior to the storm. Beware of fly-by-night operators trying to make a quick buck off of the storm victims. If they are set up in a tent or temporary location and it's not a business you've worked with before, you may not want to trust them with your vehicle.
