If you’ve been in a serious car accident, it’s good to know that auto body repair shops want to help – and the same is true of medical doctors. Sadly, some auto body repair shops and doctors – the same that usually like insurance companies – will sometimes downplay claims, use poor parts, or even not completely treat ailments. These actions can reduce the value of your vehicle or stop you from reaching a full recovery after an accident or injury.
Do a lot of research before you choose a repair shop.
Not every repair shop is going to treat your car the same. Google, Yelp, and Angie’s List are good resources to help give you a sense of a shop’s quality based on what the customers are saying, but you shouldn’t believe every online review you read. A customer could have had a personal problem with one of the people working at the repair shop, and they might be venting against the shop as a whole when they are really just expressing their frustration about one person. You’ll want to look at the more thorough, well-written reviews, because even the greatest businesses can have one unhappy customer occasionally.
Pick a shop with a warranty
Some auto body repair shops have their own independent warranties on their repairs for functionality, finish, fit, and so on. Ask to look at their warranty and make sure you ask plenty of questions about it before you agree to do business with a given repair shop, and also make sure that it doesn’t have any kind of time limit.
Maintain your existing manufacturer warranties.
Ask your auto body repair of choice if any mechanical repairs will alter the warranties you already have on your newly bought car.
