Top 10 things to know when choosing a collision repair center
Posted on December 7, 2011 by Telesis
Car or Truck damaged?
Here are the top 10 things you should know when choosing an auto collision repair center.
1. How long has the shop you’re selecting been in business?
For peace of mind, it’s a good idea to look for a collision repair center that has been in business for at least five years.
2. Are you getting what you need with this repair?
It’s always a good idea to get more than one quote. Three quotes is a good rule of thumb. After all, if three independent places tell you the same thing, it’s a good bet that you can trust what they are saying.
If you find that your estimates differ in more than just price and you see a repair item that is not on the other estimates, it’s important to question that item and then go to the other places where you got the other 2 estimates and ask them why they didn’t include that item in their quote. Either way, the exercise has helped you become a bit more knowledgeable about your repair and the auto shops in your area.
3. Even if you are working with and insurance carrier, you are legally entitled to choose your own repair shop.
If you don’t state a preference, insurance companies will automatically make the decision on who repairs your vehicle. It’s important to remember that you are entitled to use a body shop of your choice. Although the insurance carrier will usually choose a body repair shop that is reliable, it’s more likely that you can select one that serves your needs best.
4. Check the repairs yourself.
When you go to pick up your vehicle, ask the representative to show you all of the repairs they have completed. You should have the estimate with you so can go down the list. This will help to ensure that something hasn’t been overlooked and you can feel confident in the work that was done.
5. You are entitled to your old parts that have been replaced during your repair.
You can ask for your old parts back. Just be sure to ask the shop to save the parts they replace.
6. Make sure the shop you choose is properly licensed, insured and certified.
Choose a shop that has unibody repair equipment and certified (by I-CAR or ASE for example) technicians.
7. Make sure the shop you choose will give you a repair warranty.
Its important that the repair shop you use will back their work. You will want to get this in writing. Repair shops that back their work in writing are more likely to be a shop you can trust.
8. Get to know the quality of work your repair shop produces.
Ask to have a tour of the shop when you go to get your estimate. You will be able to see the type of work the shop does, whether or not they are clean and organized and you will see first hand vehicles in the repair process at all different stages.
9. It is against the law for a repair shop to waive a deductible or “pad” the bill to cover your deductible or offer you monetary incentives.
It is illegal for the consumer and/or the auto body shop to present a false damage report to an insurance company in order to save on the deductible or to keep excess proceeds of an insurance claim. To find savings, ask the shop if they offer extras, like free car rentals, that will help ease the burden of your expense – if you don’t have rental car coverage on your insurance policy.
10. You do not have to accept the insurance company’s appraisal of damage.
Check the “appraisal clause” in your policy on how to resolve any differences. This is also true on “total losses”.