Things to Consider Before Taking Your Car To A Collision Repair Shop

The majority of the people around the globe drive a vehicle of some sort, whether it have 2 wheels or 4, or be economical or a "gas pig". Because of the amount of vehicles on the roads these days, the number of accidents has risen significantly. Therefore, its highly recommended that you find a collision repair shop that you trust.

When it comes to collision repair, finding the right body shop isn't just a "nice to have", its a necessity. However, to select the best one, there is a lot that needs to be considered. Here are some things you should consider before taking your car to a collision repair shop:

Read reviews of the business, or be referred by a satisfied customer
One choice that you have when it comes to finding a suitable body shop in your city is to ask friends, family, neighbors, or even co-workers. Word of mouth advertising is the best form of advertising that a collision repair shop can get.

In order to have good word of mouth advertising, the body shop needs to provide excellent customer service, be dependable, and do a thorough job. If you consider recommendations before choosing a body shop, you can be fairly certain that you are making the right choice. If a friend or family member was satisfied by a collision repair service they received from a body shop in their city, then you can be relatively sure that you are being referred to a reliable business.

The other option that you have to read online reviews of the business. Google Places is one resource that you can use to check a business' reputation. If there are any negative reviews or complaints, make sure that you verify them by checking with the Better Business Bureau. Sometimes, and its an unfortunate part of having sites to openly share your experiences, people will post fake negative reviews about competitors in their industry.

Contact your insurance company
Take the time to speak with your insurance company about which collision repair shops they recommend. Although insurance companies have a list of recommended suppliers, you are by no means under any obligation to take your vehicle to one of their recommended suppliers.

Some insurance companies even say that if you don't use one of their recommended suppliers that they won't warranty the repair work. This is a lie. Insurance companies don't warranty the work, the auto body repair shops warranty the work. Therefore, before picking a business to do your repair work, ask what their warranty is.

Ask if they are environmentally friendly
There are a lot of traits that help people determine if a body shop is truly worth selecting. One of the most important is whether the business is committed to working in a manner that is environmentally friendly. For example, paint booths should have a vacuum exhaust system to catch paint particles and dispose of them correctly. They should not be exhausting them into the outside air.

Ask if they offer any services beyond collision repair
Whether you need to get the damage from a collision repaired, or you want to fix a minor dent or scratch, or need some rust removed, the business you choose should offer a wide variety of repair services. Ask if they only work on cars, or if they also repair motorbikes, buses, and other types of vehicles.

Ask if they do windshield repairs. Find out if the business also does antique car restoration. The reason you ask all of these questions is because the more diverse a business' skill-sets are, the more experience they have, and typically the better job they'll do.

Evaluate the facilities and staff
The presence of trained staff at a collision repair facility is also necessary because only then will you be able to receive quality service, and get your vehicle repaired correctly. At the same time, the facility you select should also be equipped with the necessary tools.

The business you choose should be capable of repairing any collision damage on site that a vehicle might have suffered. With today's technology advancing so quickly, and more electronics being added into vehicles every day, it is essential that the business you select have the electronic components to interface with on-board computers.

Being in an accident can be physically and emotionally stressful. To alleviate some of that stress, find a trustworthy, dependable collision repair shop before being involved in an accident. That way, when the time comes, and it inevitably will, inform the tow truck driver where you want your car delivered. You will be more prepared, and less stressed.