Tips for Choosing a Body Shop

Posted: Dec 15, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

How do the majority of people decide on a body shop? Well, since those involved in an auto accident will be talking with their insurance representative, most frequently they're going to patronize the body shop advised by their agent. And the insurance company representative is all too happy to recommend a body shop. However, it could turn out very badly for the client if he takes his auto to the auto body repair shop his agent has recommended. Here's the reason why that is:

When your insurance representative steers you toward a repair shop, it's going to be a repair shop within his company's "direct repair program." This is a contractual agreement between a vehicle insurer and a repair shop. The auto body shop is under agreement to make vehicle repairs to clients sent them by the company. The insurance company's part of the agreement is to point their clients toward that shop.

However, the body shop must present their repair estimates based on the usage of "aftermarket" car parts. In addition, it is agreed that the body shop is liable for auto repairs, and is required to indemnify the insurance carrier in the event of a lawsuit.

But you might be thinking "So why would I care if the auto body repair shop repairs my auto using aftermarket auto parts?" "Why should I care?" What you are going to find out may come as a shock to you!

Parts are called OEM (Original equipment manufacturer's) if created by the car maker or his vendor, and those that aren't are called aftermarket car parts. Most of the time these latter types of parts are created in Taiwan, or at least someplace outside of North America.

Luckily for your insurance firm, these auto parts are less costly than OEM parts, hence saving the insurer money, the result being greater profits. But unfortunately, this is a case of "you get what you pay for" as the aftermarket parts are normally of substandard quality. They are more inclined to fail, resulting in even more repair work being required, and in a worst case scenario, can mean that the "repaired" vehicle is dangerous to operate!

Given that there are legal concerns involved if car repairs are made in a substandard way, for what possible reason might a body shop choose to enter into the insurer's direct repair program to begin with? Simple: because they want to stay in business! Because it's a matter of the survival of their business. What happens if they refuse to sign, is that the insurance providers will direct their customers to other auto body shops.

And what if you decide to ignore your insurance agent's recommendation and visit a body shop outside the company's "network"? You may be in store for some sneaky tricks on the part of your insurer. For example, they may intentionally postpone sending an adjuster to review the damage for 2 or more weeks, or they may refuse to pay for repairs - or maybe drag their feet about sending out an adjustor to look at your automobile.

So does this make your life tougher? Undoubtedly! But compare that to having your auto restored in a manner that's substandard, or even dangerous!

To wrap up our discussion, if you have a vehicle accident and require your automobile repaired, never neglect to do your research. If the collision shop your representative proposes uses aftermarket auto parts, go to a different shop. And if your insurance agent says something to the effect of "They won't agree with our appraiser", "We're not able to work with that shop", or "We won't warranty the repair if you go there" be aware that these and other similar statements are misleading at best, and at worst, outright falsehoods!

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