After an accident, you need help of an auto body shop to restore the shape and look of your vehicle. Most auto insurance companies require vehicle owners to visit several shops that they have approved before they make their decision on the basis of the shops that offer the best prices. To make the task of choosing an auto body shop easier, here are tips that you should follow:

Consider the Auto Body Shop Location

It’s important to investigate the neighboring areas. That’s because overheads in the surrounding areas can affect the charged hourly rates significantly despite the performed labor. In fact, shops in some locations charge twice the price charged by shops in other locations for the same work. Therefore, consider the location of the auto body shop, its prices and compare them with prices of shops at other locations to find the right shop to take your vehicle for repair.

Ask Questions

Don’t take your car for repair at an auto body shop just because it is conveniently located. Instead, ask questions to determine whether the shop is the best for you. Don’t forget that a low estimate can come with cheap parts. Therefore, focus on more than the rates of an auto body shop.

Some of the questions that you should ask an auto body shop include:

• Does the auto body shop provide a written warranty?
• What does the warranty covers and how long will it last?
• Does the vehicle need painting and how many paint coats and clear coats will it require?
• Will the auto body shop use OEM or aftermarket parts?

Get Several Estimates

The reason claims adjustors ask vehicle owners to visit different auto body shops that are approved by their insurance companies is to get comparable estimates. When you get several quotes, you minimize the possibility of paying more than you should. Nevertheless, this doesn’t justify taking your vehicle to a shop that charges the lowest price. Low prices can be due to the low quality of the offered services. Therefore, get numerous estimates and compare them in relation to the quality of their services.

If you have a vehicle that needs body repair, follow these tips to choose the best auto body shop.