Always be sure to research your insurance options thoroughly before committing to any contracts. There are a significant number of insurers available in today’s market, all varying in their coverage and target market. Many insurance policies are targeted at general-use vehicles and non-specialty cars. If you are the fortunate owner of a prestige vehicle, it may be in your best interest to contact the company you’re interested in directly; ask them specific questions regarding your car, it’s use and its value as well as clarifying the fine print with them.
We prefer to partner with insurers who share our passion for returning vehicles to their pre-accident state, using only the best quality OEM parts and original factory manuals for reference. These insurers understand the importance of quality workmanship and safety, as such they understand our processes as well as the benchmark that we set for ourselves and the rest of the industry.
Things to keep in mind when browsing insurance options:
As an industry-leading repairer we would like to think that we are your first point of contact following an accident. No one likes to deal with smashed cars or insurance claims, however unfortunately sometimes these things happen. At Exclusive Body Werks it is our absolute pleasure to be able to make the process significantly easier for you.
From at-the-scene towing to quotes, repairing and delivery: we take great pride in creating the most seamless process possible for our customers. No need to chase around finding a tow-truck, repairer, parts or paint codes, that’s where we come in; and rest assured your vehicle will be returned to you structurally sound and in showroom-condition. As a top-level repairer, we work closely with a number of insurers who share our passion for quality and originality when it comes to smash repairs.
Our repair techniques are the most up-to-date in the industry and we are fully trained by factory expert technician’s; however, we still retain the increasingly rare skill of bespoke craftsmanship, with the ability to fine-tune the process with our hands-on skills acquired through decades of experience; ensuring a thorough and immaculate finish every time.
When choosing your repairer, keep in mind how they approach each job. Is it a labour of love, or simply another piece on the assembly line? At Exclusive Body Werks we like to let our passion shine through in every vehicle we repair. Our attention to detail and fierce pursuit for faultless technique means that you will always receive your vehicle with the best repairs possible.
Unfortunately, as the number of cars on our roads rises so too do peoples’ tempers. We’ve all seen it: the nonchalant middle finger silhouetted in the windscreen ahead, the passive- aggressive lane blocking or the guy that stops in the middle of an empty lane to yell at the car next to him. Throw some car-to-car contact in there and tempers can soar.
If you find yourself in a situation where your car has been involved in an accident and you feel threatened by the other driver, here is a few tips on the best way to handle such a situation:
If the other person’s behavior is such that you feel safe out in the open, exit the vehicle with caution: calmly ask their name and suggest the swapping of personal and insurance details.
If the other driver is aggressive and or physically violent, call police immediately. Stay in your car: as soon as you open the car door, you lose control of the situation and your own safety, police are appropriately trained for these situations; it’s not worth risking you or your passengers’ safety for.
You’ve bought yourself something nice to drive… you love it, but something’s missing. Perhaps you want to add a personal touch to your vehicle’s appearance: here’s a few tips for how to go about it. Maybe you like the idea of changing your exhaust pipes, or you want to add a more aggressive look with some styled panels? Items such as front splitters, lower side skirts, flared guards or bigger spoilers can look fantastic, but be sure to take into account the practicalities; especially if the vehicle is your daily-driver.
As sleek as a new front splitter looks, it may end in tears if your surroundings and driving habits don’t suit… Does the front of your car only just clear your steep driveway? Or maybe you have a tendency to approach speed bumps a little hastily (we won’t tell). Either way, if that sounds like you: a splitter will be, well…. split, for lack of a better term. The same goes for side-skirts or lower exhaust systems. They look great and we love to see our customers getting creative, but always be sure that your hard-earned dollars aren’t going to be ground into the tarmac on their maiden voyage. As for flared guards? We all love a good set of hips, but if your home or daily life involves cramped garages, narrow streets or tight gates, your cars newfound girth will become your worst enemy.
Spoilers: although fantastic for gaining downforce on the track (or for the renegades: sitting your pizza box atop), are not designed for all cars. We’re going to be brutally honest here: sometimes they just look silly. Have you ever seen a Cayenne or a Range Rover with a big whale tail hanging off the top of the tailgate? I doubt it, and with good reason. Spoilers and wings can create a terrific ominous presence for your vehicle, so take a step back and look at your car’s lines… does the shape lend itself to such an extension? Does it need it? Perhaps your car has delicate curves, more suited to understated accents such as a carbon fiber lip. We’ll leave that one in your capable hands, but as strange as it sounds: if you have your heart set on a big rear wing… check your garage clearance first. We love repairing vehicles for our loyal customers, but no one wants to fall victim to that kind of downforce!
When it comes to repainting your car or adding a little touch of colour here and there, the possibilities are limitless. The options end wherever your imagination does, and we love helping you discover your inner artiste! If you’re thinking of adding a little colour, a few pinstripes, or even a total respray: give us a call.
New track-weapon? Check. Comfy driving shoes? Check. Late night viewing of Steve McQueen’s Le Mans? Check. You must be feeling ready to win yourself an F1 trophy… right? Not so fast Fangio. We get it: we share your passion for impressively fast cars and incredible engineering, and for the lucky few these cars are their daily driver too. We’re missing one crucial element though: safety. Our public roads are more often than not congested and unimaginative, but every so often we find that perfect road: the one full of twists, turns, cambers and straights. Blissful escape from suburban humdrum… The reality is that no matter how great that road is, you can still only do the legal signposted speed-limit. So how do you really get to push your little beast to the limit and learn each others’ idiosyncrasies without riskingthe lives of your unsuspecting traffic buddies?
Enter motorsport. We have a lot of customers who own cars that are technically production vehicles, but were also designed with speed and agility in mind. For example: The McLaren 675LT. A production car? Sure. But did you know it has a carbon fibre mono-cell developed using F1 technology and it’s steering rack is faster than a P1? Porsche 911 Turbos, GT3RS’s and GTS’s, all track oriented by design. The problem our customers often mention is the lack of opportunity to drive them like the engineers intended.
Australian’s have some fantastic opportunities available to start out in entry-level motorsport, and some world-class tracks at our disposal too. CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motor Sport) is the governing body for motorsport within our fine country, and if you visit their website http://www.cams.com.au/ you will find plenty of helpful information, most notably under the “Get Involved/ Getting Started” menus.
Level 2 Licenses are easily attainable through CAMS and allows you to participate in Motorkhana’s, Khanacross, Drifting and Regularity events, as well as plenty of other categories.
Another great way to get involved, if you are less inclined to strap your helmet on straight away, is to volunteer as a race official (info for this is also available through the CAMS website). This allows you to learn track procedures, flag marshalling, emergency protocols and all the necessary rules and regulations applicable to drivers within a safe a friendly environment. If you are a member of a car club you can also be involved in that way, as most clubs host motorsport events throughout the year where beginners are more than welcome to attend, volunteer and learn the ropes.