Testimonials
Select a body shop before you need one
Also know your insurance rights in case of a fender bender, or worse
By Jim Addison, President Addison Automotive Center
A total loss?
Just because your insurance company says your car is a total loss doesn't automatically mean junk it. If you still want to repair it, address three questions that will help make the decision clear:
- Is the repair price equal or close to what the insurance check is after they deduct the salvage value? If it's near the price, it may be worth repairing.
- Is the car in good condition mechanically? If not, now's the time to let it go.
- What is the likelihood of additional damage? If you commit to the repair and additional damage is discovered, you will be responsible for it.
Even if you get three estimates, a scenario much more likely if you're not covered for the damage, don't automatically select the lowest one. That "low price" may reflect something that's missing. That "something" either will show up on the final bill or result in inferior quality repair.
Just as most people find a doctor before they get sick, so should they select a body shop before an accident occurs
Too often, the search for a body shop occurs after the accident. Car accidents, even small ones, are traumatic. Dealing with the health and welfare of the people involved, not worrying about where to take your car, should be top priority.
Three basic guidelines will help in the search for the right body shop:
- Interview in-depth. Ask friends, colleagues and family for recommendations before picking facilities. Always ask for references of people who have had different types of repairs done at different times. This will provide insight about shop strengths and weaknesses in particular areas. Ask the references some standard questions (e.g., how well has the paint worn?) as part of an overall evaluation.
- Visit any prospective shop. Look for a clean and organized facility; ask to see vehicles they have just repaired; and request proof of auto body certifications (generally ASE and I-CAR training).
- Conduct a "background" check. Contact AAA, Better Business Bureau, CitySearch, Yelp or other credible consumer "watchdog" before making a final decision. Determine if there have been any complaints, and if so, how they were resolved. Everybody makes mistakes; it's the way problems are solved that demonstrates true character and ability.
- Along with selecting the right shop, make sure you also understand estimating
and repair policies and procedures before an accident happens. A few
simple "rules of the road":
- Don't move the car(s) unless situated in a dangerous place. Police may be powerless to assess fault if the scene has been altered.
- Determine the car's driveability. After exchanging insurance information and completing a police report (if applicable), check to see if: anything is rubbing on the wheels, any fluid is leaking, the steering wheel is considerably off center, any lights have been broken out. If in doubt, have it towed.
- Direct the vehicle to the body shop of your choice. Don't let anyone "dictate" a body shop to you.
- Notify the insurance agent of the car's location. The insurance company either will send an adjustor to the body shop to appraise the damage, or ask the shop to forward them an estimate. (If the car is driveable, the insurance company may ask you to take it to one of their drive-in claim centers. If you go this route, know that you can take the estimate they prepare directly to the body shop.)
- Do not worry about getting more than one estimate. You don't need it unless you want to discuss your repair with more than one shop. Instruct the insurance company to deal directly with that shop. If there are differences between the estimate and actual repair, the body shop will deal directly with the insurance company for payment. Typically, however, the estimate and final repair bill will differ unless 100% of the damage is visible at the time of the appraisal.
- Hold the body shop, not the insurance company, responsible for the quality of work. This is where the time you spent checking out body shops earlier can pay off with a quality job that makes the entire experience less stressful.
Being prepared now will help save time, money and sanity if you're involved in a car accident down the road
Jim Addison has eight years of experience as an estimator and body shop manager.
He has I-CAR training and ASE certification.
Affiliations & Awards
Addison Auto Repair & Body Shop
2005 South Holly Street • Denver, CO 80222 • 303-691-9484