Ten Questions For An Auto Body Shop

After being involved in a car accident, one of the first things you will think of is having your car fixed as soon as possible. But taking your car to the first auto body shop you find would be a rash decision. To find a reliable and trustworthy auto body shop, take the time to do your research and ask questions so that you will receive high quality auto body repair work for your vehicle.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois sees the significance of a good auto body repair every time somebody brings a vehicle to them that someone else didn’t do right. That’s why they've got these tips for you as you choose where to do your next repair in Collinsville, Troy, Glen Carbon, Highland, or Maryville, Illinois.

Here are some questions and things to consider before allowing an auto body repair shop to fix your vehicle:

1.    Learn more about the auto body repair shop. Reading an online review about an auto body repair shop could be a useful resource. You can get a feeling of the quality of the auto body repair shop based on customer feedback, ratings, and reviews. You may need to ask the following questions after reading an online review: how frequently will I receive text updates about your car’s repair status? Will you have the ability to look at photos of your car repair in progress?

2.    What type of warranty comes with their auto body repair work? If they provide a warranty, ask how long it lasts and what it'll cover.

3.    Does the auto body repair shop have rental cars on their lot or do they give you loaner vehicles? Being without a car is an inconvenience, so you will need to make sure that you have got a rental, loaner, or courtesy car while yours is in the auto body shop. Some auto body repair shops have a car rental facility situated in or near their auto body shop. Other auto body repair shops may provide loaner or courtesy cars which you can use while they're repairing your vehicle.

4.    How long will the auto body repair take? There are lots of related factors which will affect the length of time an auto body repair will take, including the extent of damage to your vehicle, how busy the auto body repair shop is at that specific time, or even holidays where the auto body shop may be closed.

5.    Is your car covered while it's in the shop? Ask the auto body repair shop if they possess fire and theft insurance. You want to make sure that you will be covered just in case your vehicle is damaged, destroyed, stolen, or burglarized while it is in the auto body shop.

6.    Will the paint match the rest of my car? In most cases, cars have a paint code on a plate situated either in a door jamb, under the hood, or within the trunk. This paint code will provide the precise color of the manufacturer’s paint. Ensure that the auto body repair shop will be using the same exact color of paint and not a comparable color.

7.    How quickly can you wash your car after an auto body repair? An auto body repair shop normally returns your car back to you clean. They might have already washed it or waited for the paint to dry so that you can drive your vehicle just after the repair. Still, you should know if it is safe to take your car to a car wash that utilizes friction brushing or a touch-free car wash with acid presoaks and super concentrated car wash soap shortly after a fresh paint job.

8.    Does the auto body repair shop have any certifications? Certifications, such as I-CAR and ASE, are a good sign of a reputable auto body repair shop. A certification usually means that the auto body repair shop has the skills and knowledge needed to perform complete, safe, and quality repairs.

9.    Will the auto body repair shop put everything in writing? When bringing your car into an auto body repair shop, ask if you're able to receive a written estimate. It's also wise to ask for an itemized bill after all work is completed. If the written estimate doesn’t match the itemized bill, do not be afraid to ask about any differences.

10.   What's the payment policy? Most reputable auto body repair shops post their policies and payment methods where consumers can quickly see them. The payment policies might include labor rates, materials, warranty information, guarantees, and acceptable forms of payment. If you don’t see payment policy information, ask before the auto body shop begins any auto body repair work on your automobile.

Bonus Questions:

• Does the auto body repair shop work on your make and model?
• Do they concentrate on the type of auto body repair work your vehicle needs?
• How do they price out auto body repairs and auto body painting services (i.e. an rate per hour or flat fee)?

Which place to go for auto body repair in Collinsville, Troy, Glen Carbon, Highland, or Maryville, Illinois is a vital decision. If you are searching for an auto body shop, give consideration to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center. They have the experience you'll need with the customer care you want.