Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

1.	Where are you located and how do I get there?

1001 E Northwest Hwy, Des Plaines, IL 60016 is located just West of Downtown Des Plaines on the South side of the street and 1 mile East of Mt.Prospect Road.

2.	What are your business hours?

We are open Monday - Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm Saturdays 8am to 2pm.

3.	What insurance companies do you work with?

We work with all insurance companies. We are a Direct Repair Shop for Founders Insurance and Authorized Shop for Liberty Mutual Co.

4.	How long will my repairs take?

We use a formula to determine a projected completion day. If you take the total estimate hours and divide it by 3 this will give the approximate numbers of days the repairs will take. Additional damage may be exposed after disassembly. This may require additional parts to be ordered which may take one to three more days) Once your cars repairs are started, we will be able to determine the extent of the damage, notify insurance, check parts availability, we will then be able to give you a more accurate target date.

5.	What is your Warranty?

Magic Auto is proud to offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY on repairs. This covers all workmanship and Paint related repairs. We stand behind our work for as long as you own your vehicle.

6.	My insurance company is telling me to go to another shop. Where should I go?

This is called steering. Insurance companies direct work to contracted shops that they have negotiated agreements with. Magic Auto works with all insurance companies including yours. Legally speaking, You have the choice to select the shop you want to repair YOUR vehicle. It is important that you trust the repair facility where YOUR car is getting repaired and warranted. Come by and see Kraft's Body Shop. Talk to our staff, take a tour, ask questions. You need to feel good about where YOUR car is getting repaired before you decide who is doing the work. Even if you change insurance companies, Kraft's Body Shop still GUARANTEES your repairs with a LIFETIME WARRANTY.

7.	Do you give free estimates?

We give free estimates. Appointments are not required. You can come by anytime during normal business hours to get an estimate.

8.	Do I need to get three estimates?

You only need to choose the shop where YOUR car is going to get repaired and tell the insurance company where YOU want it fixed. You do not need multiple estimates. You legally have the choice where YOU want YOUR CAR repaired. Magic Auto can assist you with this if you are being told otherwise.

9.	Will my car ever be the same?

We take pride in repairing your vehicle to factory specs so that it is safe and as close to the pre-accident condition as possible. We stand behind our repairs with a lifetime Warranty for as long as you own your vehicle. If you have a specific concern, ask a Magic Auto staff member about it. We are Collision Repair Experts and willing to explain what is involved. It is good to be an informed customer.

10.	Do you give estimates over the phone?

It is usually not possible to give an accurate estimate over the phone. There are too many different aspects to be taken into consideration when we write an estimate. Every year, make, and model has different details such as painted moldings, heated mirrors, and headlights. With all of the options available on today's vehicles, it is imperative to correctly identify each option correctly because each has a different part and labor repair cost.

11.	Why do you need the VIN number just to replace a mirror?

The VIN number can tell you everything about the details of your car. The VIN number can tell what size engine, where your car was produced, the interior/exterior trim levels, and even the type and size wheels the vehicle came with. The VIN also tell us whether the mirror is power or manual, heated, has a lamp in the base, or has memory settings. There are too many options to guess.

12.	Why does a small scratch on my fender cost so much?

When repairing a scratch on a panel at our facility, it is necessary to refinish the entire panel to provide the proper application of paint material to get the desired result we expect and provide our paint manufacturer's warranty. On this type of repair, it may be necessary to remove trim moldings, lights, or handles. Depending on the location of the scratch, it may be necessary to blend into the adjacent panel to achieve the proper color match, which may require removal of trim items on this panel also. We have all heard of "spot" repairs for such instances as small scratches. We have found that this type of repair will not hold up to the environment and will start to breakdown making the repair area visible after a year or so. This "spot" repair may be suitable in some circumstances, but not if you plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time.

13.	What does it mean when my vehicle is considered a "total loss"?

The state of Illinois law states that "a vehicle is deemed a" Total loss" when the value of the repairs meet or exceed 75% of the retail market value of the vehicle. Only insurance companies can total a vehicle. Insurance companies use services such as Kelly Blue Book, or NADA to assist them in determining the value of a vehicle and along with taking in consideration the condition. Depending on the age and value of a vehicle, a simple bumper replacement can total a 1982 Toyota.

14.	Why does paint costs so much?

Some of the mixing colors cost as much as $350 per gallon and then there is the clear coat which cost $325 per gallon not including the reducer and the catalyst which are needed to produce the chemical reaction needed. Think of finger nail polish, which is $5-$6 dollars for the tiny bottle not including the clear. Think about it.

15.	What do I do when my car gets towed after an accident?

First, call the tow company and instruct them to have it towed to our facility. Secondly, you would contact us and let us know that it is on the way and we can advise you on how best to proceed depending on your situation.

16.	Will I need to take my car to the dealer or elsewhere to get mechanical or electrical work completed?

No. Once you leave the vehicle with us, we will have everything repaired that is related to the accident and that the insurance company allows us to repair before your pick up your vehicle. If the vehicle needs to go to the dealer for code reset, then we take it. If the interior needs upholstery attention, then we get it done. You should be able to drive your car home with no need for further repairs.

17.	How soon may I wash my car after the repair?

You can wash your car as often as you want. We prefer you hand wash you car instead of the automatic car washes. Waxing the repaired area is not recommended for a period of 90 days in order to allow the paint to cure completely.

18.	Will you work on any kind of car?

We work on all brands of late model vehicles, usually less than ten years old. We occasionally work on older vehicles; it just depends on their needs and our available resources at the time. We do not do restorations, but we may be able to direct you to a restoration facility. Do you refinish vehicles allover? We do not do all over repaints unless it is for an insurance claim such as vandalism or key scratching.