After an auto accident, fender bender, door ding or major collision, you need to decide who you’ll have repair your vehicle. That’s right. You decide. Oregon law protects your right to choose. It’s your vehicle and it’s your choice.
Here are some tips on how to choose a reliable auto body repair expert.
1. Who should do the autobody work to my vehicle, be it a car, van or truck?
Only do business with an auto body shop that you can trust. It may be one you’re referred to by family or friends. It may be the body shop just around the corner from where you live or work. It may even be the one your insurance company recommends. But most importantly, you need to make the decision yourself, after careful consideration.
2. How do I choose an auto body shop I can trust?
- Ask family and friends for a referral to a shop they were happy with
- Visit the auto body shop you’re considering – is it clean and organized, are their certifications on display
- Visit their website – is it professional in appearance and does it give you a feeling of trust and competence, does it help address your concerns and provide an easy way to contact them
- Check with the Better Business Bureau – the shop should have an A+ rating at the BBB
- Ask to see certifications from ASE for skill competency and from I-CAR for welding
- Ask if they have the I-CAR Gold Classdesignation – indicating an on-going committment to training and educating their workforce
- Ask to see a copy of their warranty
- How long have they been in business
- Is there an on-site owner that is committed to the operations of their business
These are some of the things you’ll want to consider when choosing an auto body repair expert.
3. The insurance company wants me to take my vehicle to their body shop, what should I do?
The insurance company can not require that you have the repairs made at a certain body shop, direct repair shop or through their DRP – direct repair program. Oregon law is very clear, it’s your vehicle and it’s your choice which shop you choose.
Treat any shop that you are referred to by an insurance company as you would any business you’ve not dealt with before. Review the items in #2 above. Just because the insurance company referred you, and the insurance company said they would guarantee the repairs, it’s the shop you have to feel good about doing business with. When it comes down to a guarantee or warranty, it’s only as good as the integrity of the shop owner and the shop you choose. I don’t recommend relying solely on the insurance company recommendation.
