How can I find a reputable auto body shop to repair my vehicle after an accident? (2024)

You can find a reputable auto body shop to repair your vehicle after an accident by asking for recommendations from the best insurance companies, friends, and family. There’s a lot of work to do if you’ve been in an accident that caused damage to your vehicle, and knowing how to file a car insurance claim is a good place to start.

Read More: How to Correctly Handle a Car Accident

Below we’ve outlined the research you can do and questions to ask to find a reputable auto repair shop. Enter your ZIP code above to compare cheap car insurance rates from the top providers.

How to Choose Your Own Auto Body Repair Shop

Your insurance company will probably recommend that you use an auto body shop on its list and give you several reasons for doing so. However, you can choose where to get your vehicle repaired after an accident and don’t have to go with its recommendation.

Still, you should weigh up the pros and cons, and as you research, get ready to ask some pertinent questions along the way. You will want to ensure that the shop fixes your car properly and that you don’t run into issues, so you should do plenty of research. For example, you can:

• Ask your friends or relatives if they can recommend a facility they’ve worked with before.
• Read online reviews.
• Look through social media accounts to see how other people have interacted with a prospective company.
• Check industry certifications from bodies such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
• Ask the company if they use OEM or aftermarket parts. However, you should also ask the insurance company about their policy on the use of genuine manufacturer replacement parts.
• See what kind of warranty the shop offers, as sometimes, the insurance company’s recommendation may provide an extended guarantee alongside the work.

What happens if you don’t agree with the amount the insurance company is offering you for the repairs to your vehicle? Sometimes, disagreements can arise. It is your right to ask for a re-evaluation and get a third-party appraisal of the damage and repair costs.

Why Some People Go With Their Insurance Company Recommendation

Insurance companies often forge relationships with a chain of body repair shops in return for discounts and other benefits. They may then pass some of these benefits along to policyholders in the form of:

• Guaranteed workmanship
• Extended warranties
• Reduced car insurance deductibles
• Less paperwork
• Prioritized repairs

Compare the perks of choosing your insurance company’s recommendation versus your auto repair shop to see which works better in your situation.

How to Drive While Your Car Gets Repaired

If you still need to drive while your car is in the auto body shop for repairs, consider buying rental car reimbursement coverage to get a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.

Read More: Does my car insurance cover rental reimbursement if my car is being repaired?

What You Need to Know About Finding a Reputable Auto Body Shop

If you choose not to use the body shop that your insurance company recommends, get ready to do your own research and ask certain questions as you look for a reputable alternative.

Ask friends and coworkers for recommendations and read customer reviews online to find a reputable auto body shop to repair your vehicle after an accident. Carefully compare the offer from your candidate shop to the insurance company’s offer and look at the pros and cons of each side.

If your car insurance rates increased after an accident, you can enter your ZIP code below to compare cheap insurance quotes from the top providers.

Read More: Best Car Insurance Company for Drivers With Accidents