How to Choose a Collision Center After an Accident
You have the right to choose the auto body shop of your choice. In the unfortunate circumstance that you find yourself in a car accident, your first step is to call your insurance company. They may have a list of preferred auto body shops they recommend, but that does not mean you must take your vehicle to their preferred shops. You can take your damaged vehicle to any collision center of your choice.
How do you know what collision center to choose? It is a good idea to have a collision center in mind. If you don’t have a place where you normally take your vehicles, do some research. When it comes to choosing after an accident, you don’t want to feel like you are making a rushed decision. And it is difficult to make an important decision quickly. You want your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible and back on the road.
One of the biggest signs of a trusted auto body shop is that they are certified. I-Car is one of the best certification organizations that gives ongoing training to participating auto body shops. Ongoing training and certifications means that your car will be in good hands. The auto body technician will be well equipped to repair the damages to your car. Your vehicle will also be returned according to safety regulations.
Insurance companies may ask you to get an estimate first at one of their locations. This is not necessary. You can ask for their estimator visit your damaged vehicle at the collision center. Your collision center should work directly with your insurance company on repairs. It is not necessary to get more than one estimate. You may be tempted to get a second estimate to compare costs. If you do request more than one estimate, be sure to ask for an itemized list of repairs and estimated costs of repairs. Typically estimates are not that different. A lower estimate could be parts that are not original equipment (OE). Or, the lower price could also mean that all necessary repairs are not included.
Ask if the body shop offers a service warranty. You will want to know the details of the warranty. Many shops will repair your vehicle with OE parts that are genuine from the manufacturer, but some may use after-market parts. You do have the right to ask for only OE parts. Talk with your repair center on options of parts choices. The type of chosen parts may also affect a service warranty.
When it comes down to knowing the right collision center to choose after an accident, it is best to know what auto body shop you may want to choose beforehand. You want to trust the center. You want a shop that will answer your questions and help ease the repair process. This will give you ease in an already stressful situation. You will have confidence in knowing your car is in the right hands to be returned to you in the condition it was before the wreck. The collision center should be considered your helping hand to repair your vehicle safely and work with your insurance company so you can get on with everything else on your to-do list. An accident shouldn’t slow you down. Choose a certified collision center who works for you to get you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.
Hannabass and Rowe Collision Centers are dedicated to your safety through having the knowledge you need to stay safe on the roads. Accident prevention is the first step in keeping our roads safe. Getting your vehicle repaired by certified technicians is the second step because unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you find yourself in an accident, remember you have the right to choose the collision center you trust.
