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Friday, January 11, 2013

How Do I Find the Right 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. Word of Mouth

One of the best endorsements any business can have is good word of mouth and recommendations. Ask your friends and family if they have ever had any bodywork done on their car and if they were happy with the shop they used. You might end up with a long list of places to choose from and you may also be able to cross off a few places that you know you don't want to go because people were displeased with service they received there.

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. Ask at your dealership

Check with the local dealership for your type of car. Most people think that the dealership is the most expensive place to get their car fixed, but often times dealerships have the best 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.

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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