How to Choose a Good, Honest Body Shop

Compare collision centers before you need one. In addition to asking friends and relatives for recommendations on shops that have performed quality work for them in the past, check the shop's qualifications by asking about advanced technician training by a national organization such as the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) or National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.

Verify commitment to ongoing training and customer satisfaction. One way is to look for decals or plaques indicating the shop's current membership status in industry associations, local business groups and consumer agencies such as the Alliance of Automotive Service Professions (AASP), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), National Auto Body Council (NABC), and the Better Business Bureau. Verifying information on the BBB Website at www.bbb.org will indicate whether the shop maintains a good reputation.

Ask shop to pre-arrange rental car. Since the average car is in the repair shop for two weeks, ask if the shop can make recommendations for a rental car company and if they can arrange for a replacement rental car to be ready when you drop off your car.

Get everything in writing upfront price estimates for work and parts. Get a written repair and price estimate of the work to be performed, as well as an explanation of why specific recommendations are necessary to correct the collision damage before the job begins. Also obtain an itemized list of all parts and services, with prices, identifying any used or re-manufactured parts.

Ask about a warranty. Professional, reputable repair shops will stand behind their repair work by offering a warranty. Usually this warranty is for a specific time-from 30 days to lifetime-and covers the labor, materials used and installation. The actual parts will be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Don't shop by price alone. The lowest estimate could indicate that the shop's estimator has improperly assessed the vehicles damage or that the shop specializes in "quickie" repair jobs and poor quality. If you get a quote that is significantly different from another shop, ask the estimator to explain why the quote is so different before you make a decision about where to have the car repaired.

Customer satisfaction after repair. Inquire in advance about the auto body repair shop's policy in the event you are dissatisfied with the repair. Will they fix it at no additional charge and how long will the extra repairs take? Once the repair is completed, tell the technician or business owner before leaving the repair shop if you notice any problems with the bodywork of your automobile. It is best to bring up any concerns immediately in order to confirm a problem is a result of incorrect repair work. If you do happen to notice a problem after you get the car home, call the repair shop immediately and let them know that you will be returning your automobile for additional repairs.