While no one wants to be involved in an auto accident, it's a situation that many drivers end up in at some point. Whether it's a fender bender or different type of collision, in most cases your vehicle will need to be repaired. The amount of auto body repair needed will depend on your vehicle and the amount of damage done. Auto body repair or collision repair can take time and can also be pricey. Here are three tings to consider when it comes to auto body repair.

Damage Can Be Worse Than It Appears

The first thing that you should consider after being involved in an auto accident is the amount of damage done to your vehicle. Just taking a look at your vehicle after the incident is not enough. Even if it appears that there is minimal damage, the damage present may actually be worse than it appears. If the damage looks minimal, it may be tempting to continue driving your vehicle without getting it fixed immediately. However, this may be a mistake. Getting your car examined by a professional and getting a repair estimate is a must. For minor damage, a repair estimate can be done in as little as 15 minutes to half an hour. Estimates for a larger amount of damage may take up to 2 days.

The Cost of Repair

Another thing to consider when it comes to auto body repair services is the cost. Costs can vary depending on your auto insurance, the amount of damage done, and where the damage is on the vehicle. A new bumper can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500. Minor dents and dings range in price from $50 to $150 to fix. Major body repair can easily cost in the thousands of dollars. If your vehicle needs to be repainted after body repair, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500 for a mid-range paint job.

How Long It Takes

It's also important to keep in mind that auto body repair can take some time, especially if there was extensive damage done to your vehicle. Minor auto body repair and bumper replacements can typically be completed within one to two days. However, more extensive damage can take a couple of weeks to even upwards of a month to be fixed. During this time you may need a rental vehicle or to find alternative means of transportation.

Getting into a car accident can be a major hassle, especially if your vehicle requires auto body repair. Even if the damage looks minor, it's important to have a professional, like those at Prime Body & Paint, take a look as soon as possible. The cost of repair can vary depending on the damage done and your car insurance. How long auto body repair takes can also vary from just a day to over a month depending on the amount of damage.