A car accident can be a traumatic experience, but some people find choosing a repair facility just as harrowing. They fear poor quality work, substandard parts and insurance companies that force shops to cut corners. Fortunately, those fears are usually worse than the reality.
First, understand that your insurance company can recommend, not dictate, where you get your car repaired. Start your search with a list of shops your insurance company approves. Generally, they’re good-quality shops, but the list doesn’t have to be the only place you look. Once you have the list, ask friends, co-workers or a trusted mechanic for recommendations.
You can also contact the state consumer protection office to find out if any complaints have been filed against a shop. If you use an Internet review service that solicits reviews from anonymous patrons, read those results with some caution. Such review services tend to skew toward extremely favorable or unfavorable reviews and can be subject to manipulation. Feel free to use such sites, but be aware of their limitations.
Certain body shops are allowed to do their own insurance adjusting. While this may save some time and tip the balance between two otherwise equally qualified shops, it’s not a critical factor.
When you visit a shop, make sure it has a professional appearance and orderly work areas. Look at the cars in the shop. If your car is newer, you want a company that works primarily on newer cars. If you have an old classic, you want the opposite. Ask if the shop regularly works on your make and model and has the repair equipment that’s recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
Some insurance companies will only pay for generic parts, which tend to be lighter and lower quality than the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. If this is the case with your insurance company, your only other option is to use OEM parts and pay the difference yourself. If you must use generic body parts, ask for Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA)-approved parts.
When you pick up your car, inspect it thoroughly. Test the doors, hood, trunk, and locks to make sure they open, close and operate smoothly. Finally, take the car into bright sunlight and carefully examine the paint to make sure the color matches. Don’t accept the car unless you’re satisfied.
