First Time Going to an Auto Body Shop After a Crash? What to Know
After your vehicle is damaged in a crash with another car or truck, you might be recovering from injuries or be upset about what happened. If you're still recovering and have never been to a body shop before, that can be a recipe for disaster because you might not know to ask for or focus on when taking your car to be fixed. Use these suggestions as a guide when dealing with auto body shops after a crash.
Choose the Shop Yourself
One of the best things to do when you start this entire process is to choose the body shop where you'd like your vehicle to be repaired. You might not think this is possible because your insurance company might have named shops to go to, but know that the choice is yours. Your choice won't affect insurance coverage, and the shops named by your insurance carrier are not necessarily more inclined to offer discounts or anything beneficial to you. Seek out your own repair estimates and select a shop accordingly. Just be sure to contact the insurance company with the information of the shop you ultimately decide to use.
Inquire about Original or After-Market Parts
In order to get your vehicle repaired in a more timely manner, the shop you're using might be using so-called after-market equipment. After-market pieces are made in bulk by companies, and shops can get them quickly or keep them on hand. If you want to get your car or truck fixed right away, you may feel fine about after-market parts. However, if you insist on having parts made by your vehicle's manufacturer, it's vital that you ask about this topic instead of assuming what the shop will do. Realize that original manufacturer parts may be more costly and that there could be a delay for you while the shop waits for the shipment of parts.
Retrieve Your Car Before Dark
When it's finally time to pick up your vehicle, you might not give a thought to what time of day you will retrieve the car at. However, it's best to pick up your car while the sun is still out. Why? In the bright daylight, it will be easier to ensure that the vehicle is in a condition you're satisfied in. You can see that all dents have been hammered out, and you can decide whether you are happy that any new paint matches the rest of your car and does not have to be re-applied. If you pick up your vehicle after the sun has set, you might not notice problems until after you've driven away.
You need your car or truck, so it's wise to use the pointers here to get body work done in a way that doesn't cause you more frustration and stress. Stay aware of everything happening along the way so you can be happy with your vehicle again.
