Auto body repair is one of the first things that will be on your mind after being involved in a motor vehicle crash. But taking your vehicle to the first auto body shop you find may be a hasty decision. In order to find a reliable and reputable shop, take time to do your research and ask questions.
Here are 10 Things to Consider When Repairing your Vehicle
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- Learn more about the auto body repair shop. Reading an online review can be a useful resource as you can get a sense of the quality of the shop based on customer feedback, ratings and reviews.
- What kind of warranty comes with their repair work? If they offer a warranty, ask how long it lasts and what it will cover.
- Does the repair shop have rental cars on their lot or do they provide loaner vehicles? Being without a car is an inconvenience, so you will need to make sure that you have a rental, loaner or courtesy car while yours is in the shop. Some shops have a car rental facility located in or near their shop. Other auto body shops may offer loaner or courtesy cars that can be used while they are repairing your vehicle. If there is a pre-rental agreement, review it carefully – read the fine print. Take photos of the car before it leaves the shop & when you return it and take note of the mileage as well.
- How long will the repair take? This is the #1 question that will come to your mind. There are many factors related that can affect the length of repair time, including the extent of damage to your car, how busy the auto body repair shop is at that particular time, or even holidays during which the shop may be closed.
- Is your car covered while it is in the shop? Ask the repair shop if they carry fire and theft insurance. You want to be sure that you will be covered just in case your car is damaged, destroyed, stolen or burglarized while it is at the auto body repair shop on their property. Do not stop paying auto insurance premiums on your vehicle while it is being repaired. Just because you are not using your vehicle, you still need to have insurance coverage.
- Will the paint match the rest of my car? In most cases, cars have a paint code on a plate located either in a door jamb, under the hood, or in the trunk. This paint code will give the exact color of the manufacturer’s paint. Make sure the auto body repair shop will be using the same exact color of paint and not a similar color.
- Is it safe to wash your car after an auto body repair? Most shops usually return your car back to you clean. They may have already washed it or waited for the paint to dry so that you can drive your car immediately after the repair. Still, it is important to know whether it is it safe to take your car to a car wash that uses friction brushing or a touch-free car wash with acid presoaks and super concentrated car wash soap soon after a fresh paint job.
- Does the auto body repair shop have any certifications? Certifications are a great sign of a reputable auto body repair shop. A certification usually means that the shop has the skills and knowledge required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs.
- Will the auto body repair shop put everything in writing? When bringing your car into an auto body repair shop, ask if you can receive a written estimate. Shop around and get at least three (3) estimates as most insurance companies require more than one (1) estimate.
- If your insurance company is requesting that you take your vehicle to their shop for repair, make sure you ask them all the same questions and if you do not feel comfortable using their shop, you still have every right to use another repair shop.
After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, it is so important to shop around when deciding where to repair your vehicle. If you take your time, ask the right questions and do your research, you will achieve a successful outcome.
