Have you ever been driving along and WACK! A rock slams into your windshield and puts a crack in it. You have the right to replace your windshield wherever you like. If you have glass coverage on your insurance policy you can just call your company and tell them where you’d like your windshield replaced at. If you decide to choose Latuff Brothers, we’d love to help you. Once you’ve filed the claim with your insurance and told them you want to take your car to Latuff Brothers, they will send us over authorization to bill them directly. You can then contact us to schedule the replacement and drop your vehicle off in the morning. We’d be happy to give you a courtesy ride to work or home in the Twin Cities Metro Area. At the end of the day when your windshield is replaced, we’ll pick you back up and bring you to pick up your car. As always, we appreciate your business and look forward to being of assistance. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Certified Honda and Acura Auto Body Repair
Do you own a Honda or Acura? Did you know when your vehicle is damaged you have the right to choose the auto body repair facility of your choice? The following information is provided from Honda.
When you want professional, quality collision repair, consider a ProFirst shop, recognized by American Honda for their commitment to a higher level of customer satisfaction through training and technology. That training includes I-CAR Gold Class Training. I-CAR (The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) is an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to training those in the collision industry with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve a complete and safe repair. Shops who achieve I-CAR’s highest level of training are awarded the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation for their dedication and commitment to training staff involved in the repair process. The Gold Class designation is the highest training level recognized in the industry, and every ProFirst collision repair facility has the distinction of being an I-CAR Gold Class Professional. In addition to the I-CAR Gold Class designation, each ProFirst shop has received Honda-specific training through I-CAR. The training provides Honda-specific information about vehicle construction materials and general repair considerations, specific repair procedures, manufacturer’s position statements relative to vehicle repair, hybrid electric and alternative fuel vehicle repair considerations, and more.
When you need collision repair, consider a ProFirst collision repair facility, recognized by Honda for their training and commitment to a higher level of customer satisfaction. At Latuff Brothers, our customer’s safety, and positive experience is of extreme importance. That is why we have invested in the training and equipment nessesary to be a certified ProFirst collision repair facility. For more information on the ProFirst program go to ProFirst. For more information on Latuff Brothers Auto Body go to www.latuffbrothers.com.
Avoiding Car Accidents
In Minnesota there is an average of 200 car accidents per day. In the auto body business we see an increase in the number of damaged cars when there is snow, rain, and freezing rain. We’ve also heard of a growing trend of “staged accidents”. This is when someone intentionally gets another driver to hit them for the purpose of financial gain. Here are some tips on what to look for and how to avoid being a victim of a staged accident.
1. Don’t tailgate! Be on the lookout for a driver who suddenly pulls in front of you and slams on their brakes. Always keep enough distance between you and the car in front of you so you can avoid a collision if they were to suddenly break hard.
2. If you are involved in an auto accident, call the police. Even if the damage is minimal. That way there is documentation. It also makes it more difficult for the other party to make claims that there was more damage than actually occurred.
3. Use a camera or your cell phone and take pictures of both vehicles and the people at the scene.
4. Be alert to people who happen to be just passing by. They could be a part of the scam. Be wary if they offer to refer you to a doctor, lawyer, or tow company.
5. Stay away from a tow company that you or the police did not call. They could very well be a part of the scam.
Be safe and remember, Latuff Brothers is here to help in the event your vehicle is damaged. We are here to work in your best interest. For more information about your rights in the event your vehicle is in an accident, go to http://www.latuffbrothers.com/know-your-rights for more information.
Car Repair Deductible
Do you know what your collision insurance car repair deductible is? Is it $250, $500, $1000, or more? In recent years we have noticed a trend of deductibles on the rise. With the recession many people have been searching for ways to cut costs. One popular way seems to be to increase your collision insurance deductible in order to decrease annual premiums paid. Nationally the average collision repair cost is about $2500. So on average if you had a $1000 deductible your insurance would cover the $1500. Also, with a $1000 deductible, if the repair is slightly over that amount people tend to consider not filing a claim with their insurance company and just paying out of pocket to maintain their claims free status. Since every insurance company handles claims a little differently we recommend you consult with your insurance agent. We also recommend when you have damage to have it looked at by your trusted auto body shop. Most auto body shops will provide you with a free initial estimate. Under Minnesota law you have the right to choose the auto body shop of your choice. Your insurance company may recommend a shop, but they are not allowed to require you to go to a particular shop. If you have a high deductible or want to pay for the repairs out of pocket, Latuff Brothers has a program where you may qualify for financing. You could potentially pay off the repair over 6 months with 0% interest. For more information, stop by for a free consultation. At Latuff Brothers, we know you are dealing with an inconvenient situation and want to help however we can. Our financing program is just another way that Latuff Brothers is better for you, your vehicle, and the environment.
What is your favorite color?
Over the holiday’s I had many conversations with friends and family. When explaining I work at an auto body shop, I was asked. “What is the most popular color people like to paint their cars?” This was a great question that actually brings up great conversation and an opportunity to provide some education. The short answer is that according to DuPont, in 2012 the most popular colors for new cars was in third place silver, second place was black, and first place was white. Many people are surprised by white, but white is becoming popular because it reflects light and helps keep cars cooler in the summer, has an image of luxury, and hides small scratches pretty well. In regards to folks changing the color of their car there seems to be a perception that you can get a complete paint job for under a thousand dollars. There are places to get a paint job of your entire car for under a grand, but you get what you pay for. At that price you’ll likely get a result that is less than perfect. A complete paint job that resembles the original manufacturers paint job will likely cost closer to ten thousand dollars. Why the difference you may ask? Well, to get a high quality paint job, the proper technique would be to disassemble the body of the vehicle and prepare each panel for paint by sanding and priming, then each panel is painted with a high quality paint product and cured in a clean paint booth, finally each panel is reassembled back on the car. In the less expensive paint job you would get the vehicle painted with the parts on the car and painted over the current paint. This technique would most likely end in flaking of the paint in a year or two and the unexposed panels would remain the original color. Many times we recommend a customer purchases a car in the color they want as the most cost effective way to get what they want. If you’d like a free estimate go to www.latuffbrothers.com/e-estimate.
What is a 3M Top Shop?
3M Top Shop Partner
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a 3M Top Shop? The 3M Top Shop program makes use of 3M automotive products and Global Best Practices to provide excellence in customer satisfaction. Working with 3M, the Top Shop Program helps bring body shops to a higher level. A major aspect of this program is making the best use of 3M products and standards. Technician training modules, training updates, and new product and promotional introductions are some ways 3M enhances the the quality of work auto body shops produce.
There are four reasons why 3M continues to focus on the Top Shop program:
1. A customer who has been in an auto accident requires their vehicle to be restored to a pre-accident condition or better.
2. The body shop’s technicians want products and systems that help them do the job right the first time and as efficiently as they can. 3M understands that high quality repairs increases efficiency and directly impacts customer satisfaction.
3. 3M is focused on developing products and systems such as Global Best Practices, which help maximize a shop’s efficiency and quality.
4. 3M will continue to meet a shop’s needs for material inventory cost management, just in time delivery, and providing new product/promotional and technical information.
For a body shop, the use of 3M Global Best Practice Systems and automotive products can make a big difference in reducing repair time, and increasing customer satisfaction. Latuff Brothers Auto Body is proud to be partnered with 3M and we are honored to be a 3M Top Shop! For more information on 3M’s automotive products go to 3M.com. For information about Latuff Brothers go to latuffbrothers.com.
Has Your Car Lost Its Luster?
Clay Bar
Does your car have a gritty lackluster shine? Over time contaminants in the air such as dust, bird droppings, tree sap, rail dust, and acid rain all contribute to the overall reduction of shine and luster your new car paint job had. Do you want to know a secret trick to get that new car shine back? It is called clay bar. What is clay bar you may ask? It is a soft claylike abrasive or exfoliating system for your car. It does not remove the clear coat or paint. It simply removes the contaminants that have accumulated on the surface of your car that does not come off with a regular car wash. Now you may ask how do I do it and what do I need? There are many products you can purchase at your local parts stores such as Napa or O’Reilly. They should have the clay bar, a lubricator, and a microfiber towel. When you rub your hand across the surface of your vehicle it will feel bumpy.
1) Start with a cool and clean car.
2) Spray the lubricant on the surface of your car one panel at a time.
3) Lightly glide the clay across the finish of the car until the area feels completely smooth.
4) If you see dark smudges in the clay, knead and fold the clay to a clean surface.
5) Dry the area with the microfiber towel.
Once you’ve completed this clay bar process you are ready to protect it with a hand wax. When the wax is completed you should see your car shine like new and the surface of the car will be super smooth to the touch. Be aware this process simply restores the luster and shine to your cars paint job but will not remove scratches or damage. We hope you enjoy your car as much as we enjoy repairing our customer’s cars to their original condition after a fender bender.
Until next time,
The Latuff Brothers Auto Body Family
Certified Nissan Collision Repair Facility
Nissan Collison Repair Network
You may be asking yourself “What is a Certified Nissan Collision Repair Facility?” According to www.nissancollisionnetwork.com:
Certified Collision Repair Network Shops have the right people, parts, tools, and know-how to get the job done right the first time to get you back on the road.
Choosing a Nissan Certified Collision Repair Facility gives you many advantages:
•Shops are I-Car Gold certified and trained to repair the vehicle to maintain future crash worthiness
•Prioritized use of quality Genuine Nissan Replacement Parts
•The necessary tools and equipment needed to repair your vehicle
•Skilled repairs along with Genuine Nissan Parts help preserve your vehicle’s value
•Limited lifetime warranty on complete collision repair
•Nissan makes a thorough facility analysis and prepares a detailed report to make sure shops are meeting Nissan Program standards
•Customer survey feedback is provided to shops to ensure the level of customer satisfaction expected
At Latuff Brothers we are proud to be named an official Certified Nissan Collision Repair Facility. While we are more than capable of repairing any type of vehicle, even today’s most advanced, this certification just shows our commitment to our customers to remain on the cutting edge of technology in our equipment and in training our technicians. For more information on this program go to Nissan. For more information on Latuff Brothers go to www.latuffbrothers.com.
E-ESTIMATE
I was talking with a friend last week on the phone. He was involved in a parking lot incident with his car. He has a brand new Nissan Maxima and the front bumper was damaged from bumping into a pole. This individual lived in St. Louis Park, MN and they were wondering what it was going to cost them to have the vehicle repaired. I asked if he knew about Latuff Brothers E-Estimate program. He said “I have not heard of this E-Estimate”. So I directed him to www.latuffbrothers.com/e-estimate. From there he was able to enter his contact information, vehicle information, and upload digital photos of the damage. By the next day, he received his estimate request via email at no cost. Needless to say, my friend was very happy with the convenience of being able to get this information without having to drive all over town for estimates. At Latuff Brothers, we are always looking for ways to utilize technology to improve the experience our customers have when dealing with an auto accident. We welcome your feedback and suggestions on how we can help you.
All the best,
Latuff Brothers Auto Body Family and Employees
Latuff Family and Employees
Central Corridor Light Rail Project
Light Rail Constuction view from Latuff Brothers front window
The day has come for construction in front of Latuff Brothers Auto Body for the Central Corridor Light Rail Project. With any change comes some reservation. Over the last 78 plus years we have seen several changes. This includes having light rail, the implementation of the bus system and the future with both light rail and the bus system. I think there is no argument that University Avenue could use a face lift and this project will definitely accomplish that. We look forward to completion of the project and entering into a new phase of the University Avenue Midway and Frogtown neighborhoods. We can imagine the future where our customers have even more transportation options when their car is in the shop. From towing service, rental car, shuttle service, bus service, and light rail service. Check out some photos from days gone by and a view of construction today. You can also follow us on Twitter @latuffautobody for updates.
University Ave. at Dale St. Looking West