When your car’s suffered damage, the last thing you want is to pour money into a shoddy repair job. That car takes you to work and out on the town; it may have been your travel companion for years, or you may have just spent top dollar on the ride of your dreams. Whatever its history, your car is likely one of the biggest investments you’ve ever made, and getting it back to its former glory should be a great experience, not a trying one. Here are our tips for choosing the best collision repair shop in your area.
First of all, don’t let your insurance company bully you into using the collision repair shop they recommend. Most insurance policies allow for you to choose the repair person you think is best suited to the job, so double-check your policy. If you have the right to pick your own repair shop, then ignore the insurance company’s recommendation. They’re picking the cheapest option so they have to pay the minimum amount for repairs; they don’t necessarily care about getting the job done right. And if your own independent research leads you to the body shop they recommend anyway, then at least you’ll be sure it’s not just because it’s bottom dollar – it’s because it’s high quality repair work.
When you call the repair shop, ask to see their facilities and whether you can take a look at some of the repair work they’ve recently done for other people (we mean cars that are still at the repair shop – don’t try to invade someone else’s privacy to see a repair job that has already been taken home!). If you like what you see, ask about their guarantees for your own vehicle. Do they have a guarantee that they will match your car’s color? Do they guarantee they’ll fix any mechanical problems like alignment while they’re fixing the body? Do they have a warranty on their work? Make a note of these guarantees: these are gold.
You may be only focused on getting your car fixed properly, but after you’ve established that this collision repair shop can get the job done right, make sure they can get it done conveniently. Ask how long the repair job will take and whether they can give you a definite delivery date. Ask whether they offer towing and rental services, so you can get your car to them and then get your rental without any additional hassle to you. Some collision repair shops even offer free shuttle service to your home or your job, which shows they’re really concerned with making sure you’re taken care of – a good sign.
Finally, take a look at the cost. If the collision repair shop offers all of the services you need, does great work, guarantees their work, and goes the extra mile to make sure you’re not inconvenienced by having a car out of commission, that may well be a good reason to spend a little extra on your repair. Obviously don’t go over your budget, but if you’re tempted to go with a less qualified alternative for price reasons, just remember: you get what you pay for.
If you’re looking for a great collision repair shop in Lehigh Valley, PA that meets all of these high qualifications, check out Vinart Body Shop for the best service and repair.
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