Safety, safety, safety!

That’s the word this holiday season.  So much traveling, so many things to do…just be careful wherever you go.  This holiday season Americans will travel over 25 BILLION miles to visit friends and relatives.  That’s billion with a “B”!  In the upper Midwest, driving is even more challenging so it is always safety first this time of year.

Do you have chains in your trunk?  Do you have jumper cables back there as well?  Please be prepared before you head out, especially if you are going north.  In case you have forgotten, you know how quickly the weather can change this time of year.  Run through that winter driving check list before you leave to sample grandma’s fruit cake.

Arrow Body and Fender has celebrated 70 holiday seasons serving Chicagoans who have been involved in auto collisions.  For three generations we have provided auto body work you can count on.  Arrow Body and Fender is Chicago’s auto refinishing professional.  We hope you don’t need us this holiday season, but if you do we are located at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.  Call (708) 456-9424.

Auto Refinishing.

In the final analysis, when your “injured” vehicle has been repaired after an accident, what everyone will see is the type of refinishing that the repair shop has done.  That is the “make-up” on the facelift of auto body repair.  The type of refinishing products and material plus the professionalism with which they are applied means so much.

Have you heard of Axalta?  Engineers at DuPont put decades into developing the best auto refinishing products known in the industry.  Then Axalta bought the proprietary work.  They established the “chromaSystem” which is recognized as perhaps the most versatile refinishing system in the collision repair industry.  When it comes to your treasured vehicle only the best will do.

At Arrow Body and Fender we use only the top of the line Axalta refinishing products.  No substitution just because something happens to be cheaper!  We even have a chromavision color scanner so you KNOW that you will have the EXACT match of your car’s original color.  If you need auto collision work you can count on Chicago’s auto refinishing pros…Arrow Body and Fender, located at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.

Icy Roads and Black Ice.

It’s that time of year for a tutorial on driving on the icy roads of Chicagoland.  Sometimes you just can’t avoid a collision when roads ice over, but you can definitely be prepared.  Your best bet is to know the weather for your entire route ahead of time.  This knowledge could help you slow down as slick spots approach, or you could avoid them altogether.

Here are some ways to avoid icy encounters-

1.  Make sure that your tires have the proper tread.

2.  Get new wiper blades so you can always see ahead.

3.  Run the air conditioner.  It may sound crazy, but it eliminates condensation on the windshield.

4.  Keep your headlights clear of snow and ice.

5.  Watch closely for black ice.  That puddle can be very dangerous.

Let’s stay safe as we drive throughout Chicagoland these next few months or so.  But if you need us we’ll be there as we have been for nearly 70 years.  We are Arrow Body and Fender Chicago’s auto repair professional for all of those decades.  If you have a vehicle mishap, give us a call so you can get back on the road.  Our Elmwood Park phone number is (708) 456-9424.

A Real Body Shop at Work.

When you walk through the front door of the average body shop what do you see?  It’s probably the front desk where they take your money.  Then there are some chairs and two year old magazines scattered about.  Oh yeah, don’t forget the tube television in the upper corner of the waiting room with that soap opera blaring that you would normally not watch even if you were in the hospital!

When you walk in the front door of Arrow Body and Fender, located at 7536 W. Grand Avenue in Elmwood Park, you see a REAL working body shop in action.  We have nothing to hide.  Our restorative geniuses are hard at work making vehicles return to the road looking better than ever.  We want you to see for yourself that we have the tools and knowledge to do the work 100% to your satisfaction.

Our people take pride in the finished product and the process that it takes to get there.  Just call our office from the scene of your accident.  We will take care of the entire process from start to finish.  We will help with the towing, rental car, filing the police report, and more!  If you have an unfortunate mishap just remember this phone number for Arrow Body and Fender (708) 456-9424.

What Parts are They Using to Fix Your Car?

That would be reassuring wouldn’t it?  When your vehicle is involved in a collision the result is not just stressful for your car, but for you as well.  You probably just leave everything to chance.  Since you don’t know the type and quality of the parts that are being used during the repair you have to trust the auto body shop to get it right.  This is your vehicle’s future…you need to know.

You don’t even want to think about paying for a part twice!  Sure, if the first one does not fit in perfect compatibility you will have to have the job done again…probably by someone else.  OEM parts should always be used when repairing your vehicle.  What is OEM?  It stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.  No aftermarket parts for your baby.

For nearly seven decades Arrow Body and Fender has insisted on OEM parts.  If you get into an accident you will meet Joe Bellocchio Jr., the son of the founder Joe Bellocchio Sr.  If and when that time arrives count on a professional auto body repair job done by Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424 your Elmwood Park Illinois auto body shop since the late 1940’s.

Tow, Tow, Tow Your Car.

That dreaded tow truck that you need to get you to the repair shop.  You have had an accident.  Everyone on the scene is okay physically, but you have the stress of knowing that your vehicle is damaged.  It needs to go into the shop to be repaired and you have a thousand things going through your mind.  Stressing about the tow truck does not need to be one of them.

When you have Arrow Body and Fender of Chicago on your side the tow will be one of the least of your concerns.  You may actually qualify for free towing and storage!  Joe and his staff have a great, quality towing service at their beck and call that will get your car safely from the crash scene to their body shop in Elmwood Park.

Over these last nearly seven decades Arrow Body and Fender has been there to help you through stressful situations.  If you get into an accident you will meet Joe Bellocchio, Jr., the son of the founder Joe Bellocchio, Sr.  If and when that time arrives count on a stress-free tow arranged by Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424 your Elmwood Park Illinois auto body shop since the late 1940’s.

Repairing Your Car.

Two things in life, well maybe three if we count our cell phones that we never, never want damaged…our home and our vehicle.  Sometimes a flood or high winds can damage our domicile, but when the car gets wrecked it’s usually because of an accident.  It may be totally your fault, someone else’s, or a combination of the two.  It does not matter.

What matters at a time like this is to get the proper insurance estimate and, above all, make sure that someone you trust with your baby takes care of the repairs.  Where did your father go to get his car repaired?  Chances are that body shop may no longer exist…UNLESS it happens to be an institution located in the near western suburbs of Elmwood Park!

For nearly seventy years Arrow Body and Fender has stood behind its auto body work.  That is three generations of trust!  It doesn’t get any better than that.  If you get into an accident you will get to know Joe Bellocchio, Jr. the son of the founder Joe Bellocchio Sr.  We hope that time is well down the road if at all, but if you need them make an appointment at Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424, an Elmwood Park auto body shop since the late 1940’s.

Elmwood Fall Festival 2016

Elmwood Fall Festival 2016

(Follow the link above for more information) 

Thursday, Sept. 8th - Saturday, Sept. 10th, 2016

5pm - 10pm

Elmwood Central Park, 101 East Main Street, Elmwood, IL 61529 

Come enjoy Elmwood Fall Festival – "Music Through the Ages" There will be carnival rides, fabulous food, race/walk, and great music just to mention a few fun family-oriented activities! Come join the fun and enjoy the music!

Trust, trust, trust.

Studies show that people need to see or hear something three times before it registers.  Trust, trust, trust…confidence, confidence, confidence.  You need it from your doctor, your lawyer, your best friend…and yes, from your auto body repair shop as well.  If you don’t have those two things you are leaving the outcome to chance.

When you have a need (and we hope that is rare) for an auto body repair shop you have many choices.  How many of those choices include an establishment that your grandfather could have gone to back in the late 40’s?  How many of them have as their owner a qualified insurance adjuster?  And is the facility state-of-the-art even though it has been around all those years?

All of this adds up to just one choice…Arrow Body and Fender.  Since 1948 they have been Chicagoland’s premier auto body repair and refinishing shop.  Joe Bellocchio Jr. is the son of the founder Joe Bellocchio Sr.  When the need arises do not hesitate.  Call Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424 proudly located for nearly seven decades in Elmwood Park.

The Importance of Framework.

240 years ago our founding fathers began this great nation with a framework - The Declaration of Independence.  Building a strong framework is the priority in other endeavors as well.  How was your home built?  It started with a solid framework then a home was built on it.  If you need collision repair on your vehicle someone needs to follow the same process.

Imagine if the auto body shop that you choose is off by an inch or two.  Now you run the risk of having additional parts NOT fitting properly.  This will lead to even more time and money consuming repair bills in the near future.  That is not just annoying, but it may also become a safety issue.

At Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park Illinois we use our Star Liner frame unibody rack.  What does that mean to you?  It means that before parts are removed there is confirmation that it will meet the structural dimensions set by the manufacturer.  We will be closed the week of the 4th.  We hope that you and yours will have a safe and happy holiday.

Elmwood Park 4th of July Celebration!

Elmwood Park - 4th of July Celebration!

4th of July Celebration

July 4, 2014 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

Nothing is going to be better than the 4th of July Celebration in Elmwood Park.

There will be a bigger and better parade in conjunction with the 100 year celebration.

The 4th of July Parade will take place and then various activities leading up to the Fireworks show at the high school at night.

Come celebrate the United States of America with the Village of Elmwood Park.

 

 

 

Auto Body Shop… NOT an Oil Change.

Many auto body repair shops in the Chicago area have different agendas.  If they can get you into the bay, then they can look for mechanical repairs to add to the bill.  That is NOT why you are there in the first place.  Your vehicle has been involved in an accident and you need it repaired to look as good as new on the outside.

There is an auto body shop near you in Elmwood Park that has devoted nearly 70 years to that very premise.  Since 1948 Arrow Body and Fender has based its return business on one very important premise…restore the car’s outer body.  When you get an estimate at our place we are thinking ONLY about collision repair and nothing else.

Our late founder Joe Bellocchio Sr. returned from serving his country in World War II and opened the shop.  Now, 68 years later, Joe Jr. and our family is proud to serve you at our location at 7635 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.  We are NOT looking forward to seeing you, because that means you had a car accident, but when you need us we will be there just as we’ve always been.   

Don't Miss Ribfest Chicago 2016!!

Ribfest Chicago 2016

Music, BBQ, Chicago and summer fun doesn’t get any better than Ribfest Chicago. 

<click the link above for more information>

Friday, June 10, 2016 - 5 pm to 10 pm

Saturday, June 11, 2016 - Noon to 10 pm

Sunday, June 12, 2016 - Noon to 10 pm

When Your Car Needs to be Towed.

In the aftermath of a car accident there is the inconvenient reality that your vehicle may need to be towed to the body shop.  Take a deep breath.  If you and everyone in your car is safe, then don’t stress the tow.  It has to get from point A to point B.  Now the important thing is who is paying to have your vehicle towed into the body shop.

At Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park, WE pay the towing fees.  Call us first…find out who the approved towing companies are - and in many cases we will pick up the tab for the tow.  You may even qualify for free towing AND free storage.  Peace of mind after an unfortunate collision begins with knowing your car is in good hands right from the get go.

We encourage you to visit our website at www.arrowbodyandfender.com.  Here you will find all of the necessary information you need to know about our towing protection.  When you have been around for three generations you know instinctively what Chicagoans need after an accident.  Call your Chicagoland expert auto body shop Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424.

Have You Totaled Your Car?

After all of these years do we really know what defines a “totaled” vehicle?  This term sparks heated conversation between insurers, policy holders, and auto body shops.  The final decision usually hinges upon the amount of money it would take to completely fix your car.  Usually a car is deemed to be totaled when the value of the damage that it has sustained exceeds its resale value.

For example, a car that is worth say $3000 on the Blue Book open market must have sustained less damage than that.  It is also fair to say that a newer vehicle that has sustained many thousands of dollars of damage may be reparable because its restored value is reasonably less than your insurance company wants to pay.

Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park Illinois repairs ALL damages that are deemed reparable.  After 68 years Arrow Body and Fender knows what you are going through with your insurance company and will proceed accordingly.   We are your full service Chicagoland Auto Body repair shop.  Give Arrow Body and Fender a call at (708) 456-9424.

Santa's Village Azoosment Park Opens May 7!

SANTA’S VILLAGE AZOOSMENT PARK OPENS MAY 7
<click link above for more information>

"SANTA’S VILLAGE AZOOSMENT PARK OPENS MAY 7 WITH A BLAST FROM THE PAST, NEW ADDITIONS TO THE ANIMAL FAMILIES AND THREE NEW RIDES FOR THE SEASON!"

When Body Work Meets Mechanical Repair.

Many times in the event of a vehicle crash damage is done to various parts of your car.  The outside work is obvious while the damage to the mechanical operation of your vehicle may not be as immediately apparent.  At times like these you need to be sure that the outside AND the inside of your beloved possession are treated with equal care.

As soon as your car LOOKS like it has been restored to its former beauty you discover later that it is no longer running properly.  At this point you are running from place to place to get ALL of the repair damage done.  Now your insurance company becomes more and more involved and you really just want everything to return to normal.

Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park Illinois repairs ALL collision related damage in their shop.  Not everything can always be repaired in house, but after 68 years Arrow Body and Fender does more repair for less IN HOUSE!  Discover this for yourself at your full service Chicagoland Auto Body repair shop.  Give Arrow Body and Fender a call at (708) 456-9424.

Getting Estimates When Your Car Needs Repairing in Chicago.

We all hate to have to face this, but when your precious vehicle is damaged you must take time to get legitimate estimates to have it repaired.  When you embark on this task make sure that you try to get a proper and honest estimate.  Many times a body shop will quote a price and then later on you get a call that the actual job will cost much more.

Because it is an “estimate” the final cost may vary.  There are steps that you can take even through the frustration and stress to keep those estimates as close to the final cost as possible.  For one thing, it would be nice if the person giving you that quote is a licensed multi-line insurance estimator.  That sounds reassuring doesn’t it?

Arrow Body and Fender located in Elmwood Park gives you that reassurance.  Our man Joe Bellocchio is not only that, but he also uses the customer friendly Mitchell Estimating System.  When you combine that with over six decades of auto body service from their location at 7536 W. Grand Ave. how could you do any better?  Call Chicagoland auto body insurance estimator Joe Bellocchio of Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424.

Easter egg hunts in Chicago and the suburbs!

Find an Easter Egg Hunt Near You!

The trees are blooming early, which means there will be more fallen flowered petals to get mixed up with Easter eggs.  Click on the link above for a basketfull of Easter egg hunts in and around Chicago.

Experienced Chicago Auto Body Repair.

For many people their vehicle is their most prized possession.  Have you seen that TV commercial where the lady named her car “Brad”?  “Brad” was the most important thing in her life and he got injured in a car accident.  It seems silly, but the relationship you have with your car, SUV, pickup, etc. is very personal and very real.

If your “Brad” gets injured the first thing you want to do is make sure that you are not being relegated to just any auto body repair shop because your insurance company says so.  Seek out a Chicagoland auto body repair shop that specializes ONLY in auto body repair.  You don’t need an oil change or tune-up, you need to have your vehicle look as good as new.

It is comforting to know that nearby there is a Chicago collision repair expert with nearly 7 decades of experience!  Call Arrow Body and Fender Service located in Elmwood Park.  Your father did…your grandfather did and when they did they dealt with the same family who runs the shop today.  Point to Arrow and give them a call right away at (708) 456-9424.

What you should know Before you need Auto Body Repair.

Auto body repair is not something you want to think about.  It is sort of like a house fire or heart attack on a smaller scale.  No one wants to dwell on the possibility that you will ever need it, but if you have prepared ahead of time it may not end up costing you a small fortune.  Here are a few tips to know BEFORE you have an accident.

1.  Check your auto insurance policy to make sure that you are ok with your current deductible.

2.  If your insurer directs you to a prepared list of shops then exercise caution.   

3.  Get multiple estimates.  Take careful notes of what each body shop will offer for the price.

4.  If the accident was not your fault, insist on original equipment manufacturer parts.

5.  Check the shop’s reputation and complaint history which should be easy to do in 2016.

There are other tips to follow, but these are some that most people may not think about.  For honest, quality work at the fairest price possible trust Arrow Body and Fender repair located in Elmwood Park.  Chicago has been counting on them to repair its vehicles since your grandfather drove a Studebaker.  Give Arrow Body and Fender a call at (708) 456-9424.

Free Museum Days at Chicago's Best Museums

FREE MUSEUM DAYS
Free museum days at Chicago's best museums can save family outings from a hefty price tag - go out and ENJOY!

Parts are a HUGE Part of the Auto Repair Solution.

When your car is damaged in a collision your mind races.  It generally does not think “down the line” to the issue of what parts will be used to repair your beloved vehicle.  Obviously, you want to go to a body shop that does the job completely and efficiently with a minimum of out-of-pocket expenditure.  You still want the highest quality affordable parts as well.

The last thing in the world that you want is to pay for a particular part then have it installed, only to discover later that the part was defective.  We highly recommend OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to ensure that your car or pick-up returns to its original condition.  If you are on a tight budget you must hire an auto body specialist who can price lower-cost parts as well.

For nearly 7 decades in Elmwood Park Illinois your neighborhood area body shop has been the choice of three generations.  You KNOW that you can trust Arrow Body and Fender because your father and grandfather did.  They will make your vehicle look as good as new.  Give Arrow Body and Fender a call today at (708) 456-9424 or visit them at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.

What Happens if Auto Damage Occurs at a Body Shop?

It is a rarity, but it also is a reality that could occur.  The shop is entrusted to repair your vehicle’s exterior and you trust them not to inflict any further damage either intentionally or unintentionally.  Things can happen when you leave your baby overnight at a shop you have never been to before.  You need to know that they are responsible for any additional repairs that may occur.

The auto liability coverage section in an auto body shop’s insurance policy pays for damages to a customer’s vehicle that are known to be caused by the shop.  If the repair shop is not responsible for the damage, then your own car insurance must pick up the bill unless the auto shop has expanded its insurance to cover any damage to vehicles in its custody and control.

It is comforting to know that there is a body shop that has stood the test of time trusted by generations for nearly 70 years.  You KNOW that you can trust Arrow Body and Fender located in Elmwood Park Illinois.  Leave your precious vehicle with them and they will repair it making it look as good as new.  Give Arrow Body and Fender a call today at (708) 456-9424 at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.

Valentine's Day is around the corner!

Chicago Valentine's Day Dinner Offers
Sunday, February 14 is around the corner – we're here to help you plan.
Find restaurants with specials, set-menus and other Valentine's Day treats for the occasion.

Things You Need to Know About Chicagoland Auto Body Shops.

Like it or not the inclement weather of winter results in more fender benders and repairable accidents at slower speeds.  Arrow Body and Fender wants you to be armed with the proper knowledge if you need the services of an auto body shop this winter.

Understand that you will likely be responsible for your deductible wherever you decide to go.  Remember that those “approved” shops are beholden to very tight insurers.  Not all replacement parts are created equal.  Talk to Arrow Body about the best parts that you can afford.  Don’t let a shop delay YOUR repair because they have taken on more work than they can handle this time of year.  Your car needs a shop that speaks your language.  Listen and learn what you need to know to make the proper decisions about the repair of your vehicle.

Arrow Body and Fender located in Elmwood Park Illinois has been serving generations of auto body customers for going on 68 years.  You don’t survive that long in this competitive environment unless you have pleased customer after customer.  If you have had a winter fender bender call or drive in to Arrow Body and Fender today at (708) 456-9424 at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.

Be Careful on the Icy Roads of Chicagoland

Negotiating the highways and side streets of Chicagoland is a real challenge this time of year.  Not only will snowfalls slow us down, but that dreaded black ice is always a day away.  Please be careful.  This is the time of year that single car accidents are very prevalent.  Through little or no fault of your own you lose control of your vehicle, even at slower speeds and crash into something.

If that were to happen, stop and take a deep breath.  Assess the condition of everyone in the car.  The most important thing is to stay calm.  When it is safe to get out of your vehicle walk around and examine the damage.  In this day and age use your cell phone and take several pictures from every angle so there is no dispute as to what needs fixing.

If you are able to drive away, please call Arrow Body and Fender as soon as possible.  They will make every effort to make an accurate estimate of the cost of repairs the FIRST time.  That is so important.  They know what you have gone through.  They have been repairing vehicles in Chicagoland for more than 65 years.  Call for an appointment right away at their Elmwood Park Shop (708) 456-9424.