How do I know if it is a good reputable body shop?
Like looking for a plumber or a mechanic or even a doctor, the reputation of the body shop is an important factor to consider. Always ask for references from your insurance company. They will not deal with inferior service providers because they have a vested interest in the vehicles being repaired properly. Another outlet you can tap is asking your mechanic. If he has been in business awhile he will know who the best body shops are and which ones to avoid. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau about a particular shop. A good reference is priceless.
Training and certification associations for the collision repair industry include Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and I-CAR. Look for these ASE and I-CAR logos which indicate that technicians at that facility are well trained and certified by these associations. Technicians at these facilities choose to continue their education and stay abreast of new technology and techniques on repairing vehicles.
You want to be able to view a shop’s work as well. If a repair center is unwilling to show you before and after photos and even let you see jobs they are currently working on, just walk away. Any reputable body shop will be more than happy to show you the quality of their work.
Another thing that you definitely want to look for from a quality body shop is a guarantee. A good shop will always stand behind the repairs they have done and will usually give some kind of warranty on paint, parts, and labor. Ask specifically what their policy is regarding guarantees and what they will do for you if you are not happy with the quality of the work that they have. If they get indignant with you leave and find another one, any decent body shop knows and understands a customer has concerns about there vehicle being repaired properly.
What is expected before the vehicle is brought to the shop if it is drivable? What if the vehicle is non-drivable?
Estimate has to be written and accepted, parts will need to be ordered by the shop and the car scheduled to be brought into the auto body shop for repairs. If the vehicle is non-drivable, it will need to be towed to the repair facility.
How long will it take for my car to get repaired?
Most insurance companies take the labor hours divided by a set formula according to their company guidelines. Every insurance company will be different but it is typically an average of a 5 hour word day. For example, if the estimate calls for 45 hours total labor, divide 45 by 5 and your estimated repair time is 9 business days. The majority of repair shops do not have weekend hours.
This repair time can be delayed by parts on back order, additional repairs that require supplements or other unexpected factors.
What kind of rental can I be expected to have and for how long?
Whether or not you are entitled to a rental car is stated in your insurance policy. Generally, for only a dollar or two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement, which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics. The insurance company is generally only obligated to cover the rental car for the amount of time it takes to repair the car.
If a Direct Repair Shop does not complete the repairs before the rental period approved by my insurance company, who is responsible for rental fees?
Always check with your insurance company as to who is responsible for rental fees in any unexpected circumstances. Usually, if you have taken your car to a Direct Repair Shop on your insurance company’s program, then either the insurance company or the repair facility is responsible for all rental fees. This is NOT the case if you have chosen to take your car to a shop off their “approved” list. Again, always speak with your insurance company and find out what their policy is.
And that wraps up Part 3 of this three part series. I hope some of this information has been useful and helped you make the process of getting your vehicle repaired a little easier.
Sincerely yours,
Jake Maxwell
Jake started his automobile career working for a small town automobile repair shop in the South East. After working there for almost a decade, he decided to try his hand on the flip side of the coin and got a job as an auto appraiser for a large insurance company. Using the experience from both sides, he understands the needs of not only the consumers, but the auto body shops and the insurance companies. It’s a love triangle with many complex problems. Visit his blog for the complete series and more resources at www.autobodyfaq.com.