Auto Body FAQ Collision Repair and Paint
Frequently Asked Questions

Network wants you to be informed on all of your auto body repair and paint questions. In this Section we will try to help make your repair process more clearer for you with some helpful answers.

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Network Auto Body "Winner" One of the Top 10 Body Shops in America ABRN

Will my insurance company pay for repairs at any shop?
According to reports over 90% of all accidents a year ago were insurance related. Most of the time you will be responsible for to the shop for your repair so make sure you have chosen a trustworthy and quality shop that  your insurance company will pay, not some bondo vampire preying on grocery store parking lots, we invite you to watch our own Film Production of 'The Bondo Hounds', spoof of 'The Night of the Living Dead' to llustrate this one. Licenses, Certifications and Warranties are three very important factors to check out. Network Auto Body has dealt with every majro insurance company in the United States so we know how to expertly assist you with your repair procedure.

I have a large deductible that is hard to pay at once, what can be done about that?
In order to help our customers get their repairs done as quickly as possible, Network Auto Body has a special Insurance Deductible Financing Plan to offer you. There may be times when your deductible may be waived, but in cases where it is not you are responsible to pay that to the collision center. Many body shops require this in full at the time, even may some require it as a deposit to start work on your repair. At Network we can help finance your deductible and get you back on the road as quickly as possible. Just go to our Finance Your Deductible Section on our web site for further details or simply contact any of our Network locations and we will be happy to show you how we can help you out.

Can Network help me out with a car rental while my car is being repaired?
Absolutely. Everyone knows that it will take a little time to complete your repairs properly and of course Network will do everyting we can to make those repairs as expedient as possible. We understand that it is difficult to be without transportation while awaiting your repairs. Netwok offers Free Car Rental Plans. For complete details vist our Specials Section

Sometimes when a car is hit it may have hidden damage, not seen by a walk around, especially to the frame, what can you do about that?
Today's modern vehciles have what is called a Unibody Design. This means that the frame and body of the car are all secured/welded together. Network thoroughly checks for all of these hiddne potentials and has the latest state of the art measuring systems for both Frame and Unibody Construction. Network considers the Frame and Unibody of extreme importance to the vehicle, it is the very foundation so it is on a high priority for us to check for any damage to this structure.

How long does it take to repair my automobile?
That's a little hard to determine without an estimate as there are far too many factors to consider as you can probably imagine. Obviously extensive damage repair and paint refinishing will take much longer than a minor damage repair. Network is not a shop that promotes doing a 'cheap' repair or paint job 'cheap'. At Network Auto Body safety and quality of repair and paint finish are a priority in your repair procedure. However, whatever the damage, you can rest assured that Network will do everything possible to help expedite the acquisition of any parts and complete your repair/paint as soon as possible. Remember, at Network Auto Body we have the experienced technicians and advanced technology to repair and paint your automobile as precisely and efficiently as possible.

What if only part of the car, such as one of the side doors is damaged, what do you do to match the paint?
Many times you'll see a car with a door that is slightly lighter or darker than the front and side panels, or the paint doesn't match up. This usually means that the proper basecoat reduction procedures weren't followed or the shop doesn't have advanced computerized paint matching systems. Network can match all of today's advanced high tech paints with our computerized paint systems. A professional body shop would do a Color Match and Blend when repairing and repainting a portion of the car. This requires blending into both sides of where the part connects so there is no tell tale paint mis-match. See Joe Fasone's Video on Basecoat reduction controversy. You can also visit Network's Repair Procedures Center on our site for futher information on how Network ensures your job.

What is the difference between Aftermarket and OEM Parts?
First off, lets define OEM Parts. OEM parts are Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. Simply put, this means they are parts made by the same manufacturer as the genuine parts sold at an automotive dealership. Aftermarket parts are produced by a different company than the original manufacturer. While these parts are designed for the same purpose there's frequently some differences in the fit, quality, performance and safety of the part. Resale value should be a consideration when chosing between the two. If you're concerned about your car's resale value then this is something you need to pay attention to, as one of the obvious reason insurance companies push these parts is money.Network Auto Body does not recommend the use of Aftermarket parts.

Here is briefly what the California Department of Insurance ie; California Code of Regulations reads:

Can my insurance company force or require me to use non OEM parts in the repair of my car?
This question goes to both safety, performance and re-sale value of your car and should be given careful consideration. *Please refer to the above FAQ and California Department of Insurance has to say. Also, according to CAA, Californai Auto Body Association, the direct answer is that no insurer shall require the use of non-OEM replacement crash parts in the repair of an automobile unless: The parts are at least equal to the original equipment manufacturer parts in terms of quality, safety, fit and performance; and Insurers specifying the use fo non-OEM replacement crash parts shall pay the cost of any modifications to the parts which may become neccessary to effect the repair; and Insurers specifying the use of non-OEM replacement crash parts warrant that all such parts are of like kind, quality, safety, fit and performance as OEM replacement crash parts. As always if you have any doubts feel free to contact us at Network Auto Body.

if I have received an estimate directly from my insurance company 'First' but the amount seems too low, do I have to accept that estimate?
The initial estimate you may have received from the insurance company only reflects their visual inspection BEFORE the vehicle has arrived at the repair shop of your choice. All insurance companies are aware that there will usually be additional parts and labor needed above and beyond their
initial estimate. So there is no need to worry, or to feel that you are accepting the insurance company's initial estimate as 'the final estimate of repairs'. Once the vehicle arrives at our shop Network Auto Body removes any damaged parts and does a complete inspection, and then immediately contacts the insurance company to inform them of any additional labor, materials, or parts needed for a complete and proper repair of your vehicle. We highly recommend that you contact us 'First' before getting an estimate from your insurance company. Call our Hollywood Shop at 323-465-6447 or our North Hollywood Shop at 818-308-8169. You can also email us or send us an online quote and we''ll get right back with you. You'll be very glad you did.

Why is it to your benefit to get an estimate from a body shop you trust before getting one from your insurance company?
As mentioned in the FAQ above about having to accept your insurance companies first estimate, you may find it to your advantage to see your body shop first. There have been many cases whereas insurance companies offer lower estimates and offer a check on the spot that can be much less than the actual cost of doing your repair. This saves the insurance company a lot of money. But it can cost you as well. At Network Auto Body we're here to see that you are taken care of according to auto body industry standards and our own Standards of Excellence. When we do your estimate you can feel confident that we are looking out for you and your car's best interest. Once you agree to allow Network to hanle your claim and repair 'You' are 'the' customer not your insurance company. After all, who do you want your body shop to work for, you or their DRP body shop? Our staff is highly trained to look for hidden damage, damage that could be a safety factor and a value factor for your automobile. We don't want you driving away with a partial repair or one that could be unsafe and if you intend on ever reselling your vehicle you also need to consider the 'resale' value in your auto as well. Call us and we'll be happy to explain to you how Network can handle your entire claim and deal with your insurance company from start to finish.