Owning a car is exciting and convenient. However, eventually, you will find yourself at the repair shop in need of collision repair technicians to help fix your car. This is not a decision to be taken lightly.
We love our cars so much, at times we feel a little less ourselves without them. Therefore, it is important to fully trust a collision repair shop before handing over your prized possession to them.
In addition, while you may not always know all the details about a repair, asking the right questions will help you gather enough information to make an informed decision. If the mechanics at the collision repair shop cannot answer these important questions, run, and do not look back.
Always refer to this handy checklist to get the best repair experience for your car.
5-POINT CHECKLIST
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR?
The priority when at the collision repair shop is to establish which part of your car requires attention. While most collision repair technicians are honest people, some are unscrupulous and asking this question will help you establish the truth.
The mechanics should know that you are interested in understanding exactly what they want to do with your car. It is also a good indicator of the extent of the damage a collision incident may have had on your car.
Take the time to understand the differences between the mechanical problems and electrical defects. You could also ask how each issue affects the overall health of your car.
WILL YOU PROVIDE ME WITH WRITTEN ESTIMATES?
Once you understand the extent of the damage, it is important to ask your collision repair shop for a detailed written estimate. The estimate should be signed by authorized personnel at the collision repair shop detailing all the required repairs, the parts needed for the job, the cost of each component, and labor.
This is a great way to know how much you will pay for the repairs, and is an insurance against cost overruns down the road that can help your build legal case if need be. It can also come in handy in case of insurance claims for parts that are covered by the policy.
DO YOU HAVE ANY REFERRALS?
Referrals are a great source of information and you should always ask for referrals. However, take the time to dig up reviews from sites such as Google Local and Yelp, where there are thousands of customer feedback.
Another way to establish the quality of service is by the feedback of other customers within the shop. Watch out for relationship between shop and customers. Furthermore, do not forget to ask if such customers drove the same model as yourself.
Most shops, especially auto insurance repair shops specialize in only a handful of car models. They may also have their technicians certified on such models only. Taking your car to a specialized shop with good customer reviews will guarantee quality service from an expert.
IS IT SAFE IF I DO NOT FIX THIS?
You need to know what you should have fixed immediately, and what can wait for later. In some cases, especially if you have budget constraints, you may find that some issues can be safely postponed without notable degradation of the driving experience. In such cases, postponing the issues for later can reduce cost.
DO YOU MIND TELLING ME HOW YOU FIXED THIS?
Finally, ask for a detailed technical description for the repair works performed on your vehicle. Most auto collision repair shops are happy to link you up with a technician that you can build a relationship with.
WHY YOU SHOULD ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
- Transparency: Your collision repair shop should be honest with you from the start. Asking the right questions will help establish the truth.
- Trust: When your questions have been answered to your satisfaction, you can rest assured that your car is in good hands.
Accountability: All collision repair technicians must be held accountable for the quality of repairs they perform on your car. This checklist will help you achieve just that.
For more information on collision repair, contact us.
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