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Helpful hints

Reed Brothers Dodge Body Shop Repair Rockville Maryland

DID YOU KNOW ...
  • Some insurance companies may want you to visit their drive-in claims center before having your car repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your car at Reed Brothers Dodge Body Shop and ask that the insurance company inspect the car there.
  • There is no law requiring you to obtain more than one estimate or appraisal.
  • You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular shop.
  • Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work. If you are not sure why one estimate is different from another you've received, please ask us.
  • Many body shops use substandard replacement parts. Ask if the shop will be using genuine manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.
  • Ask if the shop offers a repair warranty.
Located at 15955 Frederick Road in Rockville, Maryland, Reed Brothers Dodge takes pride in its knowledgeable staff and dedicated Body Shop team. Let Reed Brothers Dodge Body Shop negotiate your claim with the insurance company.

Please contact us via e-mail or call 301-948-0275 to make an appointment today!

 WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN OR WITNESS AN ACCIDENT:
Being in a car accident is both scary and confusing. It seems that everything happens so quickly that we do not have time to consider the proper things we should do if we are in an accident or even what to do when we see an accident. However, by being aware of some small and helpful tips, you can ensure that things go as smoothly as possible at such an unfortunate time.

  • Stop. Stay calm. Do not leave the scene.
  • Call law enforcement authorities immediately.
  • Do not discuss the accident with anyone except the police  or your insurance company. Do not pay the other party.
  • Secure the names and addresses of involved parties and witnesses. Be sure to note the year, make, model, license plate number, insurance carrier, and insurance policy number for all vehicles involved.
  • Have your vehicle towed to Reed Brothers Dodge Body Shop if not drivable. If your vehicle is drivable, see us as soon as possible.
  • Notify your insurance company of the accident and that Reed Brothers Dodge Body Shop is doing your repairs.
  • If you witness an accident, only stop at the accident scene if it is safe, and only if you are asked to. You may also offer to call 911 should there be a medical emergency. Also make sure that all vehicles involved get your contact information.
  • If the police are needed also contact them, they can advise you if their response to the scene is necessary.  If police come to the accident scene, get the police officer's name, phone number, and the police report number.
  • Lastly, if you have a camera, take photos of the damage and accident scene.

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
  • You are not required to get more than one estimate.
  • You may have the shop of your choice make the repairs. You are not required to use a shop selected by a claims adjuster. However, you are required by your policy to allow your insurance company a reasonable amount of time to inspect the damages prior to repairing them.
  • Only you, the vehicle owner, can authorize repairs on your vehicle.
  • Repair estimates will vary. A lower estimate may not include necessary things. It's your vehicle, make sure it's repaired to your satisfaction.
  • Your insurance company wants your vehicle properly repaired and you to be completely satisfied with their claims service. You have specific rights and obligations. Review your policy. Understand your rights.
  • Sign releases only when the repairs have been completed to your satisfaction.


Reed Brothers Dodge Body Shop stands ready to assist you in any of these matters. We will work closely with you to minimize your inconvenience and maximize your satisfaction. This we pledge to you.





Getting Towed
Breakdown Safety and Towing Tips

If you log enough miles behind the wheel, one day you'll find yourself sitting on the side of the road - or in the middle of it - in need of rescue. Your vehicle may just have a flat tire, or it may have ceased to perform even the simplest of commands, but all that is moot.

Relax
So what now? First and foremost, remain calm. While you know this isn't necessarily going to be one of your top 10 life experiences, it's not an escalating disaster either, as long as you don't panic.

Pull Aside
Pull off the road. Pretty simple, huh? Your goal is to prevent a vehicle malfunction from turning into a traffic accident. Pull as far away from the line of traffic as possible while staying on relatively level ground. If your nose is pointed down an embankment, the tow truck will have a harder time rescuing your car. Turn on your flashers and/or lift your hood to help traffic realize your standing still.

Sit Tight
If your vehicle has completely stalled and you're unable to pull to the side of the road, it may be best to stay inside and summon help at this time from your cell phone if possible. Turn on your hazard lights and take stock of the situation - the amount of traffic and whether or not you know for sure you can push your car yourself.

Road Kit
Be sure to carry an emergency road kit in your vehicle, including flares and orange triangles. These warning tools need to be placed so those cars traveling in your direction can see them in time not to hit you. That means on a curvy roadway, place your flares or triangle far enough away to allow traffic to brake safely and avoid you. If you have the means to contact a tow service, don't bother putting your hood up - the universal sign of breakdown. All that does is block your view. It's a helpful way to send out and S.O.S. to a passing Samaritan, but you're far better off with emergency kit warning devices.

Call for Help
Once you're safely out of traffic, go ahead and call for help. This is one of the best times to have a cell phone, and an emergency number to call on hand. If you have no way of contacting the outside world, and you're on a remote roadway in the dead of night, do what you have to do in order to stay safe. That may mean locking yourself in your car or walking to the nearest telephone. This is why it's important to stay calm.

Common Sense
Basically, all of this amounts to using simple common sense. If you need a tow, you're already in a small mess. The goal is not to turn an inconvenience into a disaster.



CAR PAINTS - DO'S AND DONT'S:

Do - Always use wet cloth for wiping the car, after rinsing the paint surface with water first.
Don't - Never wipe dust off your car with a dry cloth or duster.
Do - Wax your car after it's been washed, to avoid sealing in the dirt.
Don't - Do not wash, polish or wax your car in the sun when the sun is hot. It could streak or stain the paint surface.
Do - For car covers use natural fabrics car covers in humid conditions. Make sure the car cover is secure.
Don't - Never use vinyl or plastic car covers in humid conditions.
Do - Always use soft (normal) water to wash your car.
Don't - Do not use hard water (which contains minerals). It will leave a film on paint surface.
Do - Use car shampoos or polishes to wash your car.
Don't - Never use laundry detergents or similar harsh soaps to wash your car. Harsh soaps will remove any protective wax plus the paints oil, which will dry out the paint and make it look flat.

NOTE: Do not use any polish or wax on the car's paint surface before checking your owner's manual regarding recommended treatment.

Do - For acrylic finishes, use non-abrasive liquid polishes specifically designed for such finishes.
Don't - Never use polishing or rubbing compounds on paints with a clear acrylic coating, the coating will become dull.
Do - Use rubbing compounds only when the paint surface is extremely oxidized (chalky) and does not shine, even after wax has been applied.
Don't - Abrasive cleaners are extremely dangerous and can easily remove the paint and primer, leaving bare metal.
Do - Choose light colors, they retain their brilliance over the years than dark colors do.
Don't - Dark colors are more susceptible to oxidation from the sun.

Do - Use covered parking or shade whenever possible.
Don't - Avoid parking the car in the sun for an extended period of time. It will cause the paint to blister.
Do - Immediately touch up paint blemishes with the appropriate color and type of automotive paint. Consult your vehicle specification sheet for correct paint.
Don't - Do not let paint chips go unattended. Exposed metal could begin to rust when exposed to water and salt.

NOTE: Be careful about using silicone-based wax. The wax penetrates all layers of paint. Paint touch up are more difficult in this case.

 WHAT DO YOU DO TO RESTORE THE GLOSS OF YOUR PAINT?

Wash and dry your car. Always use high quality polishes containing mild abrasives. If your paint has a white, hazy look, to remove the top layer of dead paint, follow the instructions on the polish box. Use rubbing compound only in the case of extreme paint oxidation.

If the paint is dull and has no shine, apply a chemical cleaner to gently remove the dead paint layer. Wax your car immediately after polishing or cleaning it, in order to protect the newly exposed paint layer. This slows the process of oil evaporation from the new paint layer and maintains the shine.