If you’ve ever been in an auto accident, you know that finding a good body shop can be quite the challenge. The workers there may try to charge you more than what their labor is really worth, or maybe more than what the parts are worth that will be used to fix the vehicle. You can avoid tricky and grimy body shop companies by doing a bit of research to find the best body shop. Some body shops do very honest work, and they will only charge you what is absolutely necessary. Also, you have to be sure that these body shops accept your insurance. Here are 5 tips to use to find the best body shop.

1. It would be wise to get a good explanation. You should pick a body shop that will have a good worker that will give a thorough explanation as to what needs to be fixed or replaced and why. This is helpful for two reasons. First, they will explain why this repair or replacement is necessary, and what that part does for the vehicle. Another reason that this can be important is that the worker will be a great resource to use against insurance companies that may not want to pay.

2. Parts that have been used before can be perfectly acceptable. They may also be referred to as aftermarket parts. These parts cost less and often do the job just as well as new parts can. You can ask the body shop employees and the insurance company to submit in writing whether each part may be a used part or an aftermarket part. A shop may insist that you use aftermarket parts, in which case you should ask them to get parts that are approved by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA).

3. You should bring the estimator to the shop and inspect the work when it’s done. An insurance estimator can help you out when the car is seriously damaged, and you should take advantage of their services whenever possible. More seriously-damaged cars obviously require more work, but you will get a more accurate estimate of the damage from an estimator. Also, you should inspect any work that is completed before you leave the shop with the vehicle. You would be surprised how easy it is to spot an unprofessional job. You can tell whether parts are smooth or if the paint is the right shade and brightness.

4. It may be a good idea to take a vehicle to another shop if you’ve just had major work done. Ask the shop that did the work for a written copy of the step-by-step procedure they used to fix your vehicle, complete with parts. Take the car and the list to another shop and ask them to inspect the work that was done by the other shop. Getting expensive repairs that are done incorrectly is a disaster that nobody wants to deal with.

5. Don’t pick the first shop you encounter. It’s generally a good idea to get several estimates and compare them. Also, you’ll want to know how much your insurance will cover each estimate. If possible, you’ll likely want to pick a shop where your insurance covers the entire cost. If you need major repairs, however, just pick the shop where the insurance will give you the most coverage.

Body Shops can be a boon or a bust. Keep an open ear to the streets and you’ll hear why people like or dislike certain body shops. There may be reasons that you wouldn’t know by looking at the shops as to why they do or don’t provide great service.

Image from webmove

Marcie McDonald is an insurance consultant who writes for cheapestcarinsurance.org.uk. She recommends checking online for cheap car insurance quotes and also to compare the best car insurance firms before making your choice.