After an accident
From the outside you usually see only part of the damage: behind a pushed-in bumper there are often crossmembers, brackets and parking sensors. What has to be replaced therefore often only becomes clear behind the trim. Affected cameras and radar sensors must be realigned after the repair according to the manufacturer’s specification.
If an insurer is to pay, talk to them before the repair. If you claim on your own comprehensive cover (Kasko), the insurer often wants an assessor to see the damage first. If someone else caused the accident, in Germany you are generally entitled to appoint an independent assessor yourself. For minor damage, a cost estimate is often enough.
Dents and scratches
Small dents without paint damage can often be pushed out without repainting. Whether this works depends on the size, the position and access to the back of the panel.
With scratches, depth is what matters. If a scratch is only in the clear coat, it can often be polished out. If your fingernail catches in it, it usually goes deeper and has to be painted. Where bare metal is exposed, rust soon sets in.
Matching the colour
The paint code alone is not enough: many colours come from the factory in several shade variants, and sun and weather change the paint over the years. That is why the shade is matched on the vehicle and, where necessary, blended into the neighbouring panels so that no transition is visible.
How it works
You can send photos of the damage to info@autohausfritz.com in advance, but for a reliable assessment we need to see the vehicle. We also obtain genuine parts for Jeep, RAM, Dodge and Chrysler. You can arrange appointments by e-mail or on +49 34604 348-0, Monday to Friday between 7:30 and 17:00.
What customers often ask
Can I keep driving with accident damage?
That depends on the damage. If an airbag has deployed, fluid is leaking, a headlight is not working, parts are hanging loose, something is rubbing on a wheel or the car pulls to one side, leave it parked.
When can a freshly painted car go through a car wash?
Fresh paint keeps curing even when it feels dry. For the first few weeks, wash it only by hand, without wax or polish; ask about the exact period when you collect the car.
What can be done about rust on wheel arches and sills?
Rust usually starts as a small blister under the paint; the earlier it is treated, the smaller the area stays. Metal that has rusted through is replaced. Heavy rust on load-bearing parts, on pickups also on the ladder frame, is a defect at the HU, the German roadworthiness test.
What should I do after a collision with wildlife?
First secure the scene of the accident and call the police, even if the animal has run off. For partial comprehensive cover (Teilkasko) you usually need a wildlife accident certificate (Wildunfallbescheinigung) from the police or the local hunting tenant, along with photos of the damage and the scene.