Expert: William Forster - 10/17/2007

Question
No collision insurance.  I'm kicking myself.  I always assummed that if I was in an accident it would total out my car or it would be someone elses fault. stupid me.

Well, my 2000 jeep Grand Cherokee is still great car.  It mechanically it is still as solid as the day I bought it. I had an accident in Ohio. The body shop in Ohio said it is still driveable, so I drove it back to Chicago. I had had a run in with guard rail, on my driver's side doors. The backseat door is pretty bashed in. I can still use the driver's door, but it needs replacement too. The quote they gave me is totally unaffordable right now. It would be like buying the car again. It's paid off. And I recieved a  estimate for $5200. Most of the cost was labor.

What I need is to replace the doors, and  do some welding on the back quarterpanel.  I need affordable options, with more concern for functionality, and less cosmetically.

What I would like to know is, will local vocational school do repairs? Is this option cheaper? How hard is it to get your car repaired by vo-tech students?  And what is the best way to approach the training institution?

Answer
Vanessa, get in line. It's difficult at best to get your vehicle into the vocational school unless you are a student, or friends with someone on the school staff. I suggest trying to strike a bargain with a body shop who will do repairs as you can afford them. Bill