“Somebody hit my car and just left,” Kelsey said. “I am so mad. Who does that? I’m parked at the pediatrician’s office, because my daughter has this awful cold that just won’t quit, and I come out to find my car’s been hit.”
Kelsey’s car was hit from behind, hard enough to propel it a few feet forward. “The police officer said she wouldn’t drive it herself. So I had to say what auto body collision shop to tow it to. I don’t know anything about this. How do I choose where to send the car after an accident?”
There are 4 things you should know before choosing an auto body repair shop to fix your car. Use these points to help you make a good decision:
#1: You decide where your car is fixed – not your insurance company, law enforcement, or anyone else. As the car’s owner, the ultimate decision about where your car gets fixed is ultimately yours. Your insurance company may maintain a list of preferred providers. Choosing from this list can often facilitate more rapid payment of claims, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’re going to receive better service from the shop in question.
#2: The type of car you have matters. Not every auto body collision shop works on every type of car. This is especially relevant if you have a less common or more expensive vehicle. Call to confirm the shop has experience working on your type of car before choosing to have them work on your vehicle.
#3: Choose a provider who handles the complete vehicle. Some body shops only handle cosmetic damage, while other shops may specialize in mechanical repairs, glass, or paint. In many situations, a vehicle that has been hit or in an accident will have multiple different types of damage. The fastest, most cost-effective way to get all of the necessary repairs done is to choose a collision center that does it all.
#4: Reputation does matter. The moments after an accident or discovering your car has been hit are very nerve rattling. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision in the next 2 minutes. Take a second to Google any shop recommended to you, if you’re not already familiar with them. Doing a little research can help you avoid bad shops – and discover great ones!
