The long arm of auto repair insurance doesn’t stop at extended warranties or roadside tire hazard insurance. Marketing gurus have found all kinds of trinkets to make sure. Among the best are dent and tooth protection plans. Dent and dent insurance is constantly growing and takes care of those unsightly bumps in the shopping cart and parking lot.
Bumps and dents are fairly consistent terms, although a bump is smaller than a dent. You will notice a tooth. You will need to squint or catch the vehicle at the right angle or the sunlight to see a dent. Some dents are smaller than eraser heads.
Like extended warranties or tire insurance, dent and dent protection plans promise to pay for damage in part or in full over a specified period of time. These plans are sold primarily by new car dealers and cost a few hundred dollars.
Dent and Dent Repair – Paintless Dent Repair
Dent and dent repair is called PDR, short for paintless dent repair. There are many companies that perform this service: Ding Doctor, Ding King, No Dents, Dent Wizard… the list goes on. Some are better than others, although in the end it depends on the skill of the PDR technician. The prices are similar.
How is it done?
Most PDR techniques are not intrusive. PDR technicians use specially designed tools and devices to slip behind damaged panels and manipulate and massage the damaged metal back into its original shape.
It works?
Actually, it’s amazing! It works so well that in most cases the dents and teeth are completely removed. They are invisible, they are gone, I can’t believe your eyes are fixed.
I saw a football-sized dent removed from the rear fender of a $120,000 car. The tooth also had a large crease, making repairs even more difficult. After thirty minutes there was no visible detection that there was ever a dent. The repair cost the customer $400. Traditional body shop estimates were around $2,700.
positive RDTs
- Very low cost compared to traditional body shops.
- Same day repairs, even service while you wait
- No painting, sanding, or traditional bodywork required.
- Traces of original paint: helps preserve the appearance and value of vehicles.
- Body panels remain intact, maintaining structural integrity
negative RDTs
- PDR does not deal with scratches or paint chips that are often associated with dents (many PDR companies deal with chips and scratches, but it is not PDR technology)
- Many areas of the body panels are not accessible so PDR is not an option
- Plastic bumpers or any plastic component cannot be repaired using PDR techniques. Since the bumper is the most common area to be damaged, this is a significant downside of PDR technology.
- Some damage to door panels, paint, interiors, window glass, and hardware may occur, although damage of any kind is rare.
Do you need PDR insurance?
God no!
Should you fix your dents using PDR techniques?
Oh yeah!
Let me explain…
Insuring against bumps and dents doesn’t make economic sense. Dent repairs average around $50 per dent. Some dents cost between $99 and $149 to repair. Two to four dents can cost anywhere from $100 to $450, depending on the size of the tooth. Insurance at this level is simply not necessary. Besides, it is a bet that you will lose.
To benefit from a $300 two-year plan, your vehicle would need to have multiple dents or “PDR” dents. Despite your coverage, you may not even notice dents, making a claim impossible. Also, despite PDR’s amazing techniques, they can’t fix everything, especially the chips and scratches that so often accompany a hit, even if a hit does occur.
Yes, get your dents fixed with PDR (if they bother you), but don’t buy an insurance plan.
Protection Plan Economics 101
An article by Terence O’Hara in the Washington Post is a wonderful piece on the protection plan craze, and it’s applicable here. He writes:
The decision to buy an extended warranty…defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are almost always a waste of money.
‘[Extended warranties and protection plans] they don’t make rational sense,’ said Harvard economist David Cutler. ‘The implied probability [of an issue] it has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to repair or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers, that level of spending is not a risk you should insure under any circumstances.
…extended guarantees play on a basic human trait to avoid loss, even if it means sacrificing potential future gain. In this case, the profit is all the other things of value that a consumer could buy with the money spent on a warranty.
fix your dents
Fix your dings and dents (if you want) as they come up, maybe every spring. Repairing dents keeps your car looking pristine and increases its value. But don’t bother with a protection plan. Save your money.
Wait for that paint job
Quality paintless dent repair is often a great substitute for those considering full paint jobs. Whenever possible, it is best to keep the original paint. A good PDR combined with professional detailing can restore vehicles to show room condition for less than $500.
go with the best
Since 1983, Dent Wizard has been a pioneer in PDR technology. His PDR technicians receive extensive and continuous training. The rates are reasonable and the quality is excellent. He always asks for a PDR Master Technician as there are various skill levels.
Check with local dealers
Dealers in your area may offer Dent Wizard. Your vehicle does not have to be the same make as the dealer. In other words, you can take your Chevy to a Ford dealer for PDR work.
myths
Do it yourself Paintless dent repair is easy.
No, it’s not. It requires training, skill and experience. There are many who practice PDR techniques that crack or flake paint, or create ripples in metal.
PDR products sold on television do the same thing.
No! Not even closed. There is no good substitute for PDR art.
Scratch and dent repair is the same thing.
No. A dent is a small dent, which can often be repaired using paintless dent repair procedures. A scratch is an actual break in the surface of the clear coat or paint, requiring traditional body shop or touch-up painting techniques.
It is easy to learn how to repair car teeth.
Perhaps for some, but it is a skill that few master’s degree. Tooth Wizard offers an excellent training program. The management and staff are top notch.
What is the best protection plan for car teeth extraction?
Money in you Bank account!
