Reviews

Today, we can find a lot of information about companies online. Users can rely on online reviews to learn about previous customers’ service quality. However, remember that you should always take reviews with a grain of salt. You may come across an incredibly negative review, but that can reflect that customer’s bias. Generally, unless you encounter negative comments about the service, the body shop is probably a good choice.

Get Recommendations from Friends and Family

When looking for a service provider, asking friends and family is an excellent place to start. The opinions of family and friends can be more helpful than online reviews because of your familiarity with them. You know your family member’s temperament and whether their reactions to their experiences are overblown or genuine.

Do Your Research

It will help if you do your research. It may be tempting to go with the first repair shop. You may also feel pressure from the insurance company to choose a shop quickly or go with their repair shop. However, remember that your insurance provider cannot keep you from going to a shop of your choosing. Your research should include reading reviews, speaking to friends and family you trust and learning what they recommend, and word of mouth.

Search for Shops Close to You

Take the time to search for a local shop. You are not limited to using chain body shops, and you can pick a well-known shop, but there are benefits to going with a smaller place. You should feel secure in your chosen shop and feel like a guest, not just another customer. Also, local shops are more likely to hold a certification and be transparent throughout the repair process.

Get Estimates

After narrowing down your choices for body shops, you can contact each shop for estimates. Once you get your estimates, you can compare prices and determine whether you can afford their services. Remember to ask what parts the mechanics will use. Ask if the shop uses new factory parts, manufacturers, or used parts. Knowing what kinds of parts the shop uses will give you a good idea of how your car will be fixed.

Check for Industry Certifications

The Federal Trade Commission suggests that drivers ask body shops whether they carry industry certifications. Certifications guarantee that shop technicians have met material repair-work qualifications. Examples of sources for industry certifications include:

• Automotive Service Association
• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
• Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair

Remain Diligent

Remain diligent as you look for the right body shop. Do not be afraid to ask questions. It will help if you get an answer to each of your questions so you feel comfortable leaving your property at the repair shop. A good technician will not be offended or shut down when you press them for information. Ask the shop if it will handle the insurance paperwork for you because getting preapproval for repairs makes the repair process easier and more efficient.

Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, it is crucial to trust your gut after an accident. Getting repairs done can be frustrating, but ensuring you get the best service available is essential. Some common signs that a particular body shop is not suitable for you include being disorganized or dirty. The shop might not be a good fit if the owner seemed annoyed at your questions or the mechanics seemed overwhelmed.

Look for a shop that is welcoming, organized, transparent about its capabilities, certified, and worth your time and money.

Less Paperwork

There is generally less paperwork if you use the insurance-recommended repair shop. If you choose a repair shop for yourself, you may have to deal with the hassle of completing the paperwork required by the insurance company. In addition to less paperwork, going with the insurance company’s repair shop is beneficial because insurance companies require the body shops they work with to guarantee their work, meaning you can get your car fixed if an issue arises from their repair for as long as you own the car.

Save Time

Getting your vehicle repaired at the body shop recommended by the insurance company is an excellent way to get your car back sooner. The shop is pre-approved by your insurance company so that you may save time and money on the front end. Going to an approved shop saves you time because there is no need to search for one, and you avoid waiting for approval from the insurance company.

Potential Discounts

Choosing to use the insurance-recommended repair shop comes with potential discounts. First, choosing to use the pre-approved body shop may help reduce your deductible. The deductible is the out-of-pocket price that you pay for repairs. The savings can help you cope during an already stressful time. You may receive more savings because the pre-approved body shop works directly with the insurance company and handles any additional costs during the repairs without you acting as the go-between.

Prioritize Your Vehicle

Based on their agreement with your insurance company, a body shop of a direct repair program will prioritize working on your vehicle. You will receive the preferred treatment. Because your vehicle will be first in line, you can get your car back on the road quicker than if you took your car to an out-of-network body shop.

Quality

In-network body shops must meet quality standards set by the insurance company. Body shops have the incentive to ensure their repairs are top-tier quality. The insurance company may stop working with them if their quality is not the best. Insurance companies screen the body shops they work with before deciding to send you to get repairs done.

Use of One-Stop Shops

Choosing a body shop that is part of a direct repair program benefits accident victims by reducing the hurdles they must overcome if they choose their repair shop. If you choose a shop in a direct repair program, you can take your car to one location and complete various steps, including getting a repair estimate, fixing your car, and picking up a rental car.

Ability to Streamline Repair and Payment

Using a direct repair auto shop makes the repair and payment process more efficient. The in-network repair shops can help reduce paperwork and save time.

Warranties

Pre-approved body shops offer customers a warranty for their work. If you take your car to the repair shop of your choosing, they may also offer a warranty for their work. However, an approved shop guarantees the immediate repairs they make, and the warranty extends a nationwide network of body shops.

How long has it been in business?

Ask the body shop owner how long they have been in business, if possible. Longevity shows that the body shop has a good reputation. Usually, if the shop does not have a positive reputation in the community, its business will not last long.

Does the shop have experience working on your type of car?

Depending on the type of vehicle, you may need a specialized body shop to complete your repairs. You may need a specialized repair shop if you have a hybrid or luxury brand car like a Porsche or Telsa. Most repair shops can fix most gas-powered vehicles. To save time finding a new shop, it is always worth asking if the mechanics at this body shop can fix your type of car.

Is there a chance the estimated price will increase after the repair starts?

Sometimes, the estimated price for a repair will increase if the mechanics working on your vehicle find other issues they must address to care for your car correctly. If that happens, you may pay a higher out-of-pocket fee for repairs. Ask the body shop whether such an increase might happen so you can prepare your budget. Estimates are unlikely to increase for minor dents or other superficial knowledge.

Does the shop offer a lifetime warranty?

Ask the shop if it offers a lifetime warranty on the repairs it makes to your vehicle. Most reputable body shops offer a warranty. The warranty may not be for a lifetime, but the shop may offer a warranty for several months or years, depending on the area.

Lifetime warranties usually cover the work completed on your vehicle’s mechanical parts. However, a lifetime warranty will not cover your vehicle’s structure, panels, bumpers, or other impacted areas.