Top Safety Features to Consider in Collision Repair Services

Ever stop and think about what makes a collision repair service SAFE?

Accident damage repair involves far more than just straightening dents and repainting panels. Your vehicle's safety systems must be fully restored for them to work properly when you need them the most. Considering that there have already been 44,680 traffic deaths in the US in 2024, restoring your vehicle to its factory safety standards should be your top priority.

The issue is that…

Collision repair services vary WIDELY in quality. Some shops take shortcuts, use subpar parts, or neglect critical safety procedures that could put your life at risk.

In this guide, I will go over the safety features you need to know about and what to look for in collision repair services.

What You'll Learn

• Why ADAS Calibration Is Essential

• OEM Parts vs Aftermarket Quality

• Frame Straightening Tools You Can't Skip

• Technician Certifications To Look For

Why Safety Features Matter in Collision Repair

The collision repair industry has come a long way in the past 10 years. Today's vehicles have advanced safety technology that requires a level of skill and knowledge to repair and restore correctly. In fact, it has been reported that ADAS repair and calibration now accounts for 36.7% of all work in the collision repair industry.

That's a big chunk of the pie.

This means more than ever you need to choose your repair facility carefully. By working with the professionals at Caliber Collision, you are working with a group of technicians that know how important a proper collision repair is when it comes to your safety. That's because they fully understand each safety sensor, camera, and system needs to be correctly calibrated to protect you when you need it most.

Without further ado, let's get into the specific safety features you should look for…

ADAS Calibration: The Most Critical Safety Feature

Guess what is the most commonly overlooked safety feature when it comes to repairs…

ADAS Calibration.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are found in 90% of all new vehicles on the road. ADAS systems include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, among many other life-saving features. However, after any accident – even a minor one – these systems will need to be recalibrated to work properly.

Here's why:

A sensor that is off by 1/8 of an inch will be pointing to a space 50 feet down the road instead of where it needs to be pointed. This means that the safety systems you rely on will not be there to protect you in an emergency.

Proper ADAS calibration requires specialized diagnostic tools, OEM procedures, and trained technicians who are familiar with the needs of each specific vehicle. This is the number one question you need to ask when choosing collision repair services. Will they perform ADAS calibration in-house, or will you end up with the additional hassle of the shop sending your vehicle out to someone else?

If you get a response of "We'll have to check with our technicians," run the other way. Any repair facility that outsources ADAS calibration will end up costing you more time, money, and could cause potential liability issues.

OEM Parts vs Aftermarket Quality

Yeah…this one is a big one…

Vehicle parts used in repair work is the number one quality difference in your vehicle's safety. OEM parts are made by the manufacturer to fit your vehicle and have been crash-tested and proven to be safe. Aftermarket parts are not regulated, and quality and safety will vary widely.

OEM parts offer the following features you cannot compromise on:

• Exact fit and function

• Correct crash energy management

• Warranty coverage

• Insurance approval

Quality collision repair services should use OEM parts whenever possible – especially when it comes to structural and safety components on the vehicle. Some aftermarket parts are acceptable for aesthetic purposes, but when it comes to the safety of your vehicle, you should not compromise.

Structural Integrity Testing You Can't Skip

Do you know what the average person doesn't realize…

Your vehicle's frame is there to protect you. It's engineered to absorb and disperse crash energy to protect your safety. If the frame isn't properly straightened after the repair, then it won't be able to perform this function the next time you have an accident.

Professional collision repair services use special computerized frame measuring systems to ensure that your vehicle has been returned to its factory specifications after the repairs have been completed. This isn't something that can be skipped or done in-house.

The best shops will:

• Have laser measuring equipment

• Inspect measurements at various points

• Provide you with documentation of all measurements

• Guarantee their frame work

If you accept a repair without proper frame documentation, then you are putting your life at risk.

Airbag System Restoration

Airbags are one-time-use safety devices. Once an airbag has deployed, the system has to be completely replaced. This isn't just the bag itself, but often the sensors, wiring harnesses, and control modules have to be replaced too.

Here's the kicker…

Improper airbag installation can result in death. The system must be installed EXACTLY to manufacturer specifications, thoroughly tested, and all diagnostic codes must be cleared. Skimping on any part of this puts your life in danger.

Quality collision repair services will replace ALL airbag components that have deployed. Afterward, technicians will also scan for any latent damage to sensors, test the entire system before returning the vehicle, and provide documentation of the work done for your records.

Mechanic Certifications That Matter

Not all collision repair technicians are created equal. The best collision repair services employ technicians with certifications from organizations like I-CAR, ASE, and manufacturer-specific training programs. Certifications like these prove that the technician has undergone a certain level of training in modern repair techniques and safety procedures.

Look for shops that offer:

• I-CAR Gold Class certification

• ASE certified technicians

• Manufacturer certifications for your specific vehicle brand

• Ongoing training programs

These types of certifications all represent hundreds of hours of training in proper repair procedures that ensure your safety.

Pre and Post Repair Scanning

Here's a secret most shops don't tell you about…

Modern vehicles require diagnostic scanning both before and after repairs. Pre-repair scanning detects any hidden damage to the vehicle's electronic systems that isn't visible to the naked eye. Post-repair scanning ensures that everything is functioning properly before you leave the shop.

Skipping this important step is a gamble with your life. Quality collision repair services include diagnostic scanning as a standard part of every repair, not as an optional extra.

Quality Control and Warranty Coverage

Repairs aren't finished until they've been thoroughly inspected.

Professional collision repair services have multi-point quality control processes in place to check every aspect of your repair before it's delivered to you. This includes visual inspections, test drives, final scans, and verification that all of your safety systems are working correctly.

One of the things you need to keep your eyes on…

The warranty offered by the collision repair services tells you a lot about their confidence in their work. The best shops offer lifetime warranties on their repairs – this includes paint, workmanship, and parts. You should make sure the warranty covers both labor and materials and that it's transferable if you sell the vehicle.

Bring It All Together

When it comes to choosing collision repair services, it's not always about the price or the convenience of the shop. It's about making sure your vehicle is restored to its factory safety standards so it can protect you and your passengers in the future.

When you compare different shops, keep in mind the importance of collision repair services that offer in-house ADAS calibration, OEM parts for critical components, proper frame straightening equipment, certified technicians with ongoing training, comprehensive pre and post-repair scanning, and robust warranty coverage.

Each of these features is important and works together to ensure that every repair is done correctly. You can't settle for anything less than collision repair services that have your safety as their top priority.

The cost of quality repairs is nothing compared to the peace of mind you will have knowing your vehicle will protect you when you need it most.