It can be quite a painful experience seeing your beautiful automobile dented, scratched, or otherwise damaged following a collision.
Collision repair shops make up a nearly $186 billion market, which is an example of how important auto bodywork is to so many drivers. You have several body shops that you can select, but it’ll take some research to find the best fit.
The points below will help you when you’re ready to start choosing auto body shops to address the work.
Begin With an Auto Damage Claim With Your Insurance Company
Always work with an auto insurance company that can give you several leads on body repair shops.
Many of these auto body jobs are covered under insurance, particularly if you have either a collision or comprehensive plan. Your insurance company will also be able to issue you an entire list of professionals that are in-network.
This way, you’ll be able to use your policy rather than bear the burden of total out-of-pocket costs.
Check References and Reviews of Your Auto Shop Options
Research the experiences that customers have had when working with auto body professionals. Reviews and references reveal their reputation, and you’ll find out if customers have sued them for subpar service or breach of contract.
You’ll notice trends the more you study these reviews. Avoid doing business with shops that consistently have poor reviews, or that don’t have quality references.
Gauge Their Auto Repair Experience
Any auto body shop should have technical certifications that prove their experience. These might include an Individual Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) technician or Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications.
Find out if the shop is family-owned, how long they’ve been in business, and whether they’ve always operated in their current city or community.
Ask what auto body shop equipment they use and make sure that their shop is up-to-date and that they know how to wield the most cutting-edge processes.
Perhaps they use a wheel balancer that makes the job easier or deploy powder coating rather than wet paint.
All these points matter when it comes to the service you can come to expect.
Start Comparing Repair Costs Between These Shops
Finally, don’t move forward without knowing how much the work will cost. Begin comparing repair costs, and get no fewer than three different quotes.
Each quote should list the work that they’re doing and how much the supplies or parts will cost. Having the price quote spelled out this plainly will give you more control over your choice.
You don’t necessarily have to go with the cheapest price, but always make sure that you’re pleased with the value that you’re getting.
Use These Tips When Choosing Auto Body Shops
The points above will help you out when you’re interested in choosing auto body shops. Making this decision will help you get your vehicle back quickly and in like-new condition when it’s all said and done.
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