What do you do if your car gets into an accident and is in need of repair? Take it to an auto body shop in Los Angeles, of course! A good automotive body shop will be able to give you an accurate estimate on not just the cost of the repair, but also all the details of what needs to be done to restore your car to tip top shape.
When getting a repair estimate from the cars body shop, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Know your body shop – It’s wise to invest time into finding a good body shop BEFORE you get into an accident or need repairs. That way you’ll know where to take your car and who to trust with the repair. Spend time reading reviews on Yelp and Google, as well as getting information from friends and family. Make sure you find a repair shop that will do a good job at a good price.
- Take charge of the repairs – Your insurance company is very likely to send you to a specific body shop of THEIR choice. While some insurance-recommended body shops do great work, many cut corners, use aftermarket (cheap) parts, and focus on churning out the repairs rather than paying attention to details. You need to make sure the insurance company sends the vehicle to your desired body shop, so stand your ground and know that you have the right to choose where the repairs are done.
- Get multiple estimates – Unless the repairs are timely, consider taking your car to a few body shops and getting multiple estimates. That way you’ll be able to compare the costs and determine which body shop is your best choice. Your goal should be to find one that offers quality work at a reasonable price. Shopping around is the easiest way to get what you want!
- Ask about hidden damage – The insurance company will usually draw up a incident report according to the damage that is visible, but you may need to be prepared for hidden damage that will only be seen once the body shops gets in and starts working .This could raise the cost of the repair significantly, but will ensure your car is left in good condition.
- Don’t only consider price – The price of the repairs isn’t the only thing to think about. You also need to think about the quality of repairs and the parts used. A cheaper provider may use cheaper parts more prone to breakdown, and they may do a sloppy job. Even if the estimate is a bit higher, consider working with a body shop you KNOW does good work.
Follow this advice and you’ll get your car back in tip top shape even after a serious collision!
