For the average person, an automobile is one of the most singularly expensive items he/she will own, second only to a home.

A vehicle is one of the most frequently used objects in a person’s life. Modern society relies on theirs cars for many things, such as moving from point A to point B, staying dry from weather conditions throughout that journey and it serves as the first level of defense from falling hail or other debris, should that storm become exceptionally dicey.

Aside from that, people spend a lot of time in their cars, an inevitable side effect of weekly commuting and running errands. As a result, many of us learn to depend on our vehicles quite a bit; some even become emotionally attached to their car.

So when these coveted vehicles are confronted by a gnarly fender bender, drivers usually react in one of two ways:

1. Your car is your treasured road companion; auto repair services should be sought immediately!
2. Your car is old and worn out. Why sink money into it now?

Fix it or nix it?

For those who side with option B, there are certainly many good reasons to think this way. After all, the average life expectancy for a car  is only 8 years and/or 150,000 miles. Considering the typical driver racks up anywhere between 15,000-20,000 miles per year, mileage adds up quickly.

Sure, many cars that are maintained properly are capable of exceeding these parameters, but a car loses resale value with each passing month. As a result, drivers will be less likely to invest the money required to repair an aging automobile.

What drivers may not realize, however, is that repair costs aren’t the only thing to consider when deciding to take a damaged vehicle to a collision repair shop. The dangers of not mending the damage must also be taken into account.

Three Dangers of Not Fixing Your Car

1. Looks Aren’t Everything

Cosmetic damage isn’t always just cosmetic. In many cases, the exterior damage is covering up flaws that could have been inflicted on the inner layers of your car. Common examples include broken radiators, bent vehicle frames or other vital components, all of which can introduce their own challenges if not mended promptly.

2. Endanger Others

Many fender benders leave your car with unsecured pieces of fiberglass and metal. Mix this with speeds ranging anywhere from 30 to 70 mph, and the likelihood of one of these pieces flying off and damaging another vehicle is probable. In this case, you would then be liable for both the repairs of your car and the third party vehicle that was damaged.

3. Further Damage Your Car

Taking reason #2 into consideration, unsecured parts can also cause eventual damage to other portions of your car. For instance, a bent fender can scratch the rubber wall of your tire over time, resulting in your tire losing air or even popping.

What should you do next?

If your car is damaged, you are highly advised to have it repaired. Doing so will help your vehicle retain its maximum resale value, allowing you to sell or trade your car for the largest amount of money possible whenever the time is right.

First, always file a claim with your insurance company. That way, you can have the damage subsidized or completely paid for – depending on your deductible – despite the age of your vehicle.

Second, locate an auto repair services provider that you can trust. Shur-Way Auto Body has been helping people and their cars get safely back onto the road since 1971.

Third, relax and leave the work to us! Shur-Way’s three principles of service have been the driving force behind what we do for the last 45 years, and they will continue to guide our decisions for the foreseeable future. In our line of work, you are our number one priority; the rest follows accordingly.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a free auto repair services estimate, click here. We look forward to working with you!