Whether you are a lifelong Florida resident, snow bird, or recent transplant, you know they don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing. And you’ve probably also noticed that lots of cars around you have snazzy tinted windows. Here in South Florida, window tint is about more than just looking cool or pimping your ride. Here are just a few reasons to consider this investment:

Look and Feel Cool You’ve probably experienced the feeling of burning flesh or wondering if you’re going to melt right into your driver’s seat before. Window tint uses thermal rejection film to block the sun’s penetrating rays that can heat up your car’s interior and your posterior.  Additionally, window tint can save you from blasting the AC on max saving you gas and money.

Prevent Premature Aging Most of us know to use sunscreen whether we’re going to the beach or out on the boat. When the sun is shining—which is often here in South Florida—our skin needs protection from its harmful UV rays. But many of us may not realize that we are exposing ourselves to the dangers of sun exposure even during our daily commute if we don’t have a UV blocking  window tint on our cars.

Protect Your Stuff While security is not necessarily the intent, window tint does provide an extra layer of safety for your vehicle and your possessions. Thieves have but a few seconds to break a window and access whatever valuables might be inside. First, they’ll have a harder time seeing into your car to assess anything worth stealing. Second, when a tinted window is broken, the glass remains in a solid piece attached to the tint film making it much nearly impossible for a thief to smash and grab.

Cut Annoying and Dangerous Glare While Florida sunsets are spectacular, it’s both distracting and dangerous to have the sun glaring in your window while you fumble with the shade (that often just misses blocking the sun.) Window tint eliminates the distraction and danger allowing you to enjoy sunset drives.

Add Privacy Finally, window tint gives you a little more privacy. Whether it’s keeping people from seeing what’s in your backseat while you’re parked or just feeling a little greater sense of solitude when you’re on the road, tint upgrades you to first class.

Now that you know so many reasons why tinted windows are about more than just looking cool, call Grieco Collision today and upgrade your ride.

Window tinting is just one of the services Grieco Collision Center of Florida offers. Our technicians specialize in making sure your vehicle always looks its best. We offer reconditioning and detail services, paintless dent repair and more. And we can handle any vehicles from luxury and foreign cars to heavy duty trucks, motorhomes, RV’s and campers.

Conveniently located on N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, Grieco Collision Center of Florida is South Florida’s car care expert. We treat each customer’s needs with paramount concern and seek not only to meet but to exceed your expectations. Allow our experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff to demonstrate our commitment to excellence. Schedule your appointment today @ 888-451- 0538

This fall, hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria visited devastation and destruction on the southern United States, Caribbean islands, and most recently virtually destroyed Puerto Rico.

The costs of these storms is estimated in the hundreds of billions and could end up being the most expensive disaster in history. Buyer beware: Flood-damaged cars can show up for sale in different states. Here’s what to look for.

While much of the recovery expenses will go toward property damage, extensive flooding also left many Texans and Floridians with vehicle damage and loss.

Estimates say that Harvey destroyed about 300,000 to 500,000 vehicles while Irma’s toll sits at about 200,000-400,000. Many more than were lost in 2005’s Katrina or 2012’s Sandy, which were about 200,000 and 250,000 respectively.

As a result, drivers around the country—not just Texans and Floridians—will likely see an increase in insurance rates due to the cost of replacing cars lost in these storms.

Another thing to beware of is storm-damaged cars that have been cleaned and resold. Research from Carfax indicates that about half of the damaged cars will end up back on the market.

Residents who are looking to replace a damaged vehicle or just those consumers looking for a used car should do extra research to make sure the vehicle they choose was not damaged detrimentally in the flood and being passed off as refurbished. Buyers are encouraged to use top-rated dealers, check Carfax, and have an automotive professional look over a potential purchase.

The Federal Trade Commission also offers tips such as to look for mineral deposits or discoloration in the seats, moisture inside instrument panel or warped misshapen door panels. Additionally, beware of musty smells or signs of mold or mildew. Or a heavy aroma of cleaner or air freshener that might be an attempt to mask other odors. The technology of many new vehicles—like a smart phone dropped in a pool– would be rendered virtually useless after significant exposure to water.

And this won’t just be an issue in Texas and Florida. Flood-damaged cars can be sold in auctions and end up on lots hundreds of miles and even states away with no indication they’d lived through a hurricane.

The best way to be safe is to have an automotive professional provide a thorough inspection before you make a purchase.