When your car experiences minor damage, it can be very tempting to continue driving without addressing the body damage with a professional. While choosing not to pursue collision repair may seem like a cost-effective measure, it can actually cost you much more in the long run. Here are three reasons it’s important to get your car’s damage repaired immediately instead of waiting. 

3 Reasons to Get That Body Damage Repaired ASAP

1. Your Car Can Rust 

When your car has paint damage, this can expose the metal, leaving your car vulnerable to rust and salt damage. Rust damage is easy to repair if you catch it early. However, if you let the damage sit too long, it will eventually start to eat away the car’s chassis and require more extensive repairs. 

2. The Damage Can Worsen

Paint damage and rust aren’t the worst things that can happen when you don’t get collision repairs done. If panels on your car are dented or disconnected, such as fenders or bumpers, the damage to the part will only worsen as you continue to drive the car. Other non-damaged pieces can be pulled off by the eventual weight of the broken piece as you drive. The damaged panel itself may bend or break more, pulling off brackets that were undamaged.  

3. Your Insurance Will Be Affected

Sometimes car owners will file a collision repair claim, receive a check from the insurance company, and then decide not to get the repairs done. If you have a bank loan on the car, this can have negative consequences if the bank ever has a reason to repossess the car, if you try to re-finance the car, or if you need to file another claim.

Even if you own your car outright, you may regret not seeking repairs if you ever need to file another more serious collision claim on the car. The insurance company handling the new claim will not pay again for any maintenance work done to address the old damage. If the damage overlaps, you’ll end up needing to pay out of pocket for that cost. Keeping the claim money without doing the repairs can also be considered insurance fraud. 

At Groton Auto Body & Sales in Groton, CT, you’ll find a team of certified auto body professionals equipped to handle a wide range of collision services. From simple dent removal and tire changes to repairing more serious damage, their dedicated staff can get you back on the road with reliable, quality repairs. They also offer 24-hour towing service and roadside assistance. For more information or to schedule an estimate, call (860) 449-9120 or visit them online today.