One of your first priorities after getting in a car accident is getting your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible. But hastily taking your vehicle to the closest auto body repair shop may not be the best decision when all is said and done. Finding a reputable collision repair shop can be challenging and will take some research on your part. Before handing over your keys to the body shop manager here are 10 questions to ask:

What Do Others Say About the Collision Repair Shop?

The first step to finding a trustworthy auto body repair shop is to carefully research the shops in your area online. Blog articles, customer reviews and third-party ratings can help you find and choose from the most reputable shops nearby.

How Does the Shop Communicate with Customers?

Many – but not all – auto body repair shops have adopted new technology to make it easy for customers to book appointments online, submit photo estimates from your smartphone, and stay in the loop about the status of a repair with text or email updates. These features aren’t mandatory but are worth considering as you search for a repair shop, especially if timeliness is a concern.

Does the Shop Routinely Work on Vehicles Like Mine?

If you drive an import car, rare model or vehicle make, replacement parts can be hard to find. In addition to having the right parts suppliers, find a shop that has the tools, experience and equipment to expertly restore your vehicle like new again. 

Is the Auto Body Repair Shop Certified?

Auto body repair shops that have earned OEM, ASE and I-CAR certifications employ technicians and managers with the required skills, knowledge and training to perform safe, comprehensive, top-quality repairs. Most OEM, I-CAR- and ASE-certified shops proudly display those certification badges in their waiting room and on their website. 

Does the Shop Supply Rental Cars or Loaners?

Being without a car for several days can be a real hassle. As an added convenience, some auto body shops have a car rental facility located in or near their business. Others offer loaner or courtesy vehicles to customers while their car is in the shop.

Before signing a rental or loaner agreement be sure to read the fine print carefully. Use your smartphone to take photos of the car before leaving the shop and when you turn it back in. It’s also wise to record the beginning and ending mileage.

Do They Provide Written Estimates?

Also ask the auto body shop if you can get a written repair estimate, followed by an itemized bill after the work is completed. If the figures on the two documents don’t match up, don’t be afraid to question any discrepancies.

In addition, most reputable auto body repair businesses clearly post their payment policies and shop procedures somewhere in the waiting room. Those payment policies may include labor rates, material costs, warranty information, guarantees and acceptable forms of payment.

How Long Will the Collision Repairs Take?

As the top question that auto body shop managers field, this one has no cut-and-dried answer because every repair job is different. Factors that may influence the length of the repair cycle include the extent of damage, the shop’s workload and their parts procurement process.

Delays caused by variables like COVID-19 are possible, as shops take more customer and employee safety precautions and some parts take longer to ship. A recent industry trend report published by CCC Information Services Inc. showed that the average duration of customer loaner or rental car usage – the metric used to determine length of repair time – is 9.85 days.

The skill and training of repair technicians can also shorten or lengthen the repair process, along with the quality of equipment the shop uses and whether-or-not they outsource some of their work – like ADAS sensor recalibrations. In most cases, busy collision repair shops usually do high-quality work. 

Will the Paint Match the Rest of My Car?

The last thing you want when you pick up your car is a freshly painted door panel or bumper that doesn’t match the rest of the car. To prevent that from happening, most vehicles have a manufacturer’s paint code located under the hood, in the trunk or inside a door jam. Always ask if the shop will be using the exact same paint color and not just a similar one.

Is My Car Covered by Insurance While at the Shop?

To be sure that your car is protected against damage, theft or burglary while at the body shop find out if they carry fire and theft insurance. It’s also recommended to continue paying the auto insurance premiums on your vehicle even while it’s being repaired.

Remember that the technicians will be test-driving your vehicle to ensure that everything was restored properly.

Are My Repairs Backed with a Warranty?

Knowing the answer to this question will give you peace of mind that if the repairs are performed incorrectly the shop will correct them at no additional cost to you. Most auto body repair shops offer some type of warranty, so be sure to ask what it covers, how long it is for, and which shops will honor the warranty if you move.

Simplify Your Auto Body Repair Shop Search on Carwise

A quick, simple way to find reputable, OEM, I-CAR and ASE-certified auto body or glass repair shops in your area is to use the nationwide Carwise referral network, where you can view shop information, ratings and customer reviews. Many shops back their repairs with a warranty and have direct partnerships with insurance companies to make the repair transaction easier between customer, insurer and shop. To search your zip code now for reputable auto body or glass repair shops nearby visit us at: www.carwise.com.