Published: July 23, 2007 05:04 pm            

Savvy Strategies for Surviving a Fender Bender

It Begins With Choosing a Trustworthy Collision Center

Just as consumers must be vigilant about checking out credentials when choosing contractors to do needed repairs on their homes, consumers should be just as prudent after an accident in checking out which collision repair center is the most qualified to fix one of their most expensive possessions. There are a lot of choices. And there is a lot of demand. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s most recent statistics, there were nearly 6 million reported non-fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2005. Most of these vehicles likely ended up at a collision center, where the average repair bill was $2,200 to $2,300 and where 80 to 92 percent of the work involved auto insurance claims. Although an insurance company may make some recommendations, drivers have a choice when selecting an auto body repair shop. Choosing a trustworthy shop is very important for ensuring the best possible results. The National Auto Body Council (NABC), a not-for-profit organization representing all segments of the collision repair industry, agrees, stating that despite many stereotypes about auto collision repair shops, the reality is that the industry has a high degree of professionalism and integrity. A spokesperson for NABC goes on to say “one of the things that is least understood by motorists is that when a damaged car is brought in for repairs, the repair contract generally is only between the vehicle owner and the repair shop, not the auto insurance company. It’s usually the owner’s responsibility to choose a trustworthy, quality oriented shop that will repair his or her car safely and protect its resale value.” Choosing a shop can be confusing. So the Better Business Bureaus and the NABC have teamed up to help consumers better manage the collision repair experience with tips on choosing a trustworthy shop, saving money on a replacement rental car and knowing how to settle any disputes. More information on “Wiser Drivers Wise Up” is available at www.wiserdrivers.com. Choose a Trustworthy Collision Repair Shop Compare collision centers before you need one. In addition to asking friends and relatives for recommendations on shops that have performed quality work for them in the past, check the shop’s qualifications by asking about advanced technician training from a national organization such as the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) or National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. Verify commitment to ongoing training and customer satisfaction. One way is to look for decals or plaques indicating the shop’s current membership status in industry associations, local business groups and consumer agencies such as the Alliance of Automotive Service Professionals (AASP), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), National Auto Body Council (NABC), and your Better Business Bureau. Verifying information on the BBB Web site at www.northalabama.bbb.org will indicate whether the shop maintains a good reputation. Arrange a Replacement Rental Car Ask shop to pre-arrange rental car. Since the average car is in the repair shop for two weeks, ask if the shop can make recommendations for a rental car company and if they can make arrangements for a replacement rental car to be ready when you drop off your car. Save on cost of replacement rental car. If your auto insurance policy includes replacement rental car coverage, which usually is only a couple dollars a month, you may get a rental car for little or no money. Keep in mind that one full-year of replacement rental car coverage may be less than the cost of a one-day rental car if you have to pay out of pocket. See an insurance professional for details. Get Everything in Writing Upfront Review price estimates for work and parts. Get a written repair and price estimate of the work to be performed, as well as an explanation of why specific recommendations are necessary to correct the collision damage before the job begins. Also obtain an itemized list for all parts and services, with prices, identifying any used or re-manufactured parts. Ask about a warranty. Professional, reputable repair shops will stand behind their repair work by offering a warranty. Usually this warranty is for a specific time – from 30 days to lifetime – and covers the labor, materials used and installation. The actual parts will be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Don’t shop for price alone. The lowest estimate could indicate that the shop’s estimator has improperly assessed the vehicle’s damage or that the shop specializes in “quickie” repair jobs and poor quality. If you get a quote that is significantly different from another shop, ask the estimator to explain why the quote is so different before you make a decision about where to have the car repaired. Think about satisfaction after repair. Inquire in advance about the auto body repair shop’s policy in the event you are dissatisfied with the repair. Will they fix it at no additional charge and how long will the extra repairs take? Once the repair is completed, tell the technician or business owner before leaving the repair shop if you notice any problems with the body work of your automobile. It is best to bring up any concerns immediately in order to confirm a problem is a result of incorrect repair work. If you do happen to notice a problem after you get the car home, call the repair shop immediately and let them know that you will be returning your automobile for additional repairs.

        

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