You were recently involved in a collision. You’re fine, but your car has been severely damaged. So naturally, you want it fixed quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Nevertheless, you should be very cautious even if you’re in a rush to have your car repaired, as you don’t want to skimp on finding a good collision repair business. But, on the other hand, if you fail to do so, you may end up with a poor repair job that wastes your time and money.
When looking for collision repair estimates, the key is to do some basic research. So, how do you pick a professional collision repair shop that will effectively meet your needs? Here are five pointers to help you with your search.
There’s really nothing wrong with using one of the service centers recommended by your insurance company. Just be aware that certain shops, but not all, may be tempted to cut corners on your repair work to keep costs low and the insurer happy.
On the other hand, many collision centers like all the CNS collision centres in Canada, are authorized by insurers simply because they provide excellent service. This means that doing some investigations on the auto repair shop you would like to use will be beneficial. Find out how well the collision repair shop finishes its cars or if there were any issues afterward.
Make sure you do your research before committing to a repair shop. Auto body shop reviews can be found on online review sites as well as Google. You may also be able to find auto repair group discussions online that are specific to your car’s model number, and forum members may be able to recommend shops in your area.
However, don’t take these review sites at face value. You’re looking for well-written, thoughtful reviews, not one-line comments against the shop. Remember that everyone, including the best shops, will receive negative feedback from time to time.
You can ask friends and family members who have had their vehicles repaired after an accident where they went. If they were happy with their experience, ask them if they would recommend that particular shop to others who were seeking collision repairs.
You want an auto body shop that is clean and well-organized, with up-to-date equipment and experienced professional staff.
Make a point of asking a bunch of questions. Determine the paint and parts that will be used, as well as the number of layers of paint and clear topcoat that will be used. Find out if the collision center has fire and theft insurance in case your vehicle is wrecked by a shop fire, stolen, or broken into.
Inquire about the company’s history and certifications as well. Check that the shop employs National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence-certified technicians. These mechanics have received extensive training in the most recent repair techniques, so you can be confident that they will perform the highest suitable work on your vehicle using the most current repair methods.
While you’re there, ask to see some other cars that have been worked on. If you’ve chosen a reputable auto repair shop, it should be impossible to differentiate a repaired part from the rest of the vehicle.
If you’re not sure what else to look for, pick up a book like Auto Repair for Dummies. It’ll tell you to look for ripples or bumps in the finish, and that new paint freckles on unpainted parts like trim, chrome, door handles, and locks must be removed before actually painting.
An in-person consultation also can help to calm your nerves. If the shop, for example, does not appear to be overcrowded, this could suggest that customers are keeping away in droves. Take into account what they’ll do to your car if the store is filthy. If the owner of the business is irritable, you might be better off heading somewhere else that provides better customer service.
If a car body shop speaks promises, don’t just take their advice for it. Make them do a written record of it. After all, you don’t want to have to file a complaint against a supervisor for work that wasn’t done or was done incorrectly.
Obtain written estimates from at least 3 different collision repair shops. Make your choice based on how your money gets spent. Don’t just take the cheapest quote; try to obtain the work you want to be completed at the value you’re happy with.
All in all, you want to find a collision repair facility that is willing to work with you and your insurance company to get your car repaired quickly. When it comes to collision centers and other services when you are looking for a collision repair shop, make sure that you know about the options before signing anything.
