Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Where Do I Start Looking for a Body Shop?

By Amy Kitchel


If you have been in a car accident and have any kind of damage to your car - whether it is a minor scratch to a major replacement or repair needed - one of the first questions most people have is where they should take their damaged vehicle. Finding a good body shop can be tough, especially if you don't have any experience with cars. Here are some good tips to find a body shop that matches your needs.

1. Ask your friends

One of the best ways to pick a good business is to listen to recommendations from its customers. Ask your friends and family if they have a body shop they use regularly and if they are happy with the service and repairs they receive there. With recommendations from friends you can narrow down your search to a few places and you might also be able to cross a few places of your potential list because of negative references you receive.

2. Online Resources

One of the best places to start is the Internet. Use online search tools like yellow pages, local chambers of commerce or the better business bureau to find local businesses or use an online review service like Angie's list to get customer reviews and ratings on service rendered by particular body shops. These online resources can help you further narrow down your search by the part of town you live in or by your specific car and damage.

3. Ask your Insurance Company

Check with your car insurance company and see if they have a preferred body shop or group of body shops that they work with on a regular basis. When you use a body shop recommended by your insurance company you can usually count of them being reliable and giving you a good deal because of their ongoing relationship with the insurance company that they will want to continue.

4. Call your car's dealership

Most people think that dealerships are the most expensive place to get their car fixed, but often times dealerships are the best places to go. They will have good access to the specific parts that your specific car needs and they will be able to get the work done quickly and reliably with good warranty protection. Check with the local dealership for your type of car and see if you can get a good repair done there

5. Car Clubs

Ask around and find out how to join a local car club for your particular type of car. People who have the same kind of car as you will have great advice about how to get your car fixed, because they may have needed exactly the same repairs and parts if they were in a wreck. Especially if you don't know anyone who has the same type of car as you, try and join a car club to get great information about your car all the time, not just if it needs to be fixed.

When it comes to body shops, it is best to know which one you will want to use before you really need one. This way, if you are in a wreck you will know immediately where to go and not have to worry about whether or not they are reliable when you need them most.




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