5 Questions to Ask Your Body Shop After a Collision
After the initial shock of getting in a collision has worn off and you’ve contacted your insurance company and now need to find a body shop to repair your vehicle, there are questions that you should ask when researching the best shops to have the work done. Like any other industry not all body shops are the same. From the way they perform repairs to the speed and efficiency in getting your car in and out, it would be prudent to ask questions and do your research before choosing where to take your vehicle.
In addition to checking online reviews such as Google and Yelp, you can check for recommendations from family and friends. Once you have settled on a couple of body shops that are rated highly and have a good reputation, you should ask the shop owner or manager these five questions:
1. How long do they estimate the repairs will take? The answer will vary depending on the extent of the damage to your vehicle, how quickly the shop can get your car in and even the type of vehicle you have.
2. Do they have loaner or rental cars or have “special rates” with a nearby car rental company?
Most likely you’ll need a car while yours is being repaired. Some shops provide loaner or rentals, while others have a relationship with a local car rental company and can get a reduced rate.
3. Do they use original manufacturer equipment (OEM) parts?
If your vehicle is fairly old or wasn’t in good condition prior to your collision you may settle for after-market or generic parts being put on your car. However, if your car is relatively new and you not only want to protect the trade-in value as well as make sure the parts are safe and fit correctly on your vehicle, make sure your body shop does this before signing a work order.
4. Do they provide a warranty for their repairs? If a body shop doesn’t guarantee their work to some degree, be weary of using them. If their repair job is inadequate it can negatively affect your vehicles trade-in value.
5. Does the shop or their technicians have any certifications? Having certifications from I-CAR or ASA helps to assure that the shop is reputable. If everything else is the same in the body shops you check out aside from this, go with the body shop with the most certifications. It assures that your technicians are skilled in their specialty (i.e. painting, parts, etc.)
Doing your research before deciding on a body shop can save you time and money in the long run, and also protect the trade-in value of your vehicle in the future.
Orlando Auto Body strives to use OEM parts whenever possible and attempts to get your car repaired as soon as possible. We guarantee our work and have certified technicians to ensure your car is repaired to its pre-accident condition. Call us at (480) 844-4858.
