Auto Accident Claims: 4 Hidden Areas Of Auto Damage

14 January 2016

Robin Wells

Auto accidents are traumatizing—even minor ones. While you may be feeling a bit sore after the accident, your car might look fine. However, just because your car appears to be fine, doesn't mean it is. Just like injuries can hide in a person, damages can hide in a vehicle. So before you decide not to file an auto insurance claim, make sure you look for these four potentially hidden damaged areas:

1. Frame Damage

A lot of times frame damage can be hidden from view. This is usually because the plastic bumper on newer cars simply hide the damage. Even if the bumper looks like it just has a minor dent, you should still have it inspected. Even if there appears to be no dent, definitely have it checked out by a professional. It is possible that there are serious structural issues hiding just underneath the bumper, such as a bent reinforcement bar.

2. Exhaust Damage

Another area where your vehicle might be damaged is in the exhaust system. The exhaust is typically located underneath the vehicle towards the rear. If you don't get down on your hands and knees to look at it, you probably won't notice any issues immediately. However, the other car could have easily pushed it and bent the pipe. Over time, the exhaust pipe can become clogged and that can cause future problems.

3. Electrical Issues

In many newer cars, even the slightest bump can cause issues within the electrical system. Even if your car appears fine, you should have the electrical system checked for issues. It is possible that your car may begin to show various issues, such as blinker lights that don't function, due to the accident. This is caused by electrical wires and connections becoming loose during the hit. Thankfully, it's an easy fix.

4. Door Damage

Another area you might experience hidden damage after an accident is in the doors. Even minor collisions can cause your doors to have various issues, such as the power windows not functioning. You might also notice that your door locking mechanisms no longer work. Although not visible, these issues could cost hundreds of dollars.  

As you can see, there are various problems that might occur in your vehicle during an accident. So before you decide not to file an auto insurance claim, make sure you take your vehicle to a professional to have it inspected. After all, you don't want to wind up paying hundreds, or thousands, for repairs after the accident, just because the vehicle looked fine.

For auto insurance, contact a company such as Butler & Messier Insurance.

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