How to Choose the Right Auto Body Shop

As an automobile owner, the likelihood of requiring the services of a collision repair and refinishing facility are greater than you might think. Whether it's from storm damage, rust and corrosion, acid rain and harsh sunlight, or a car accident outright, the risks are real. It's wise, then, to know just how to pick an auto body shop.

Many times when people are taking part in an accident they think "the insurance company will take care of it for me.'' The truth is, it's your duty to decide on who'll do the repairs for you. This is not a choice which should be taken lightly, as it can involve protecting a major investment. That is why Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR has put together this list of tips for you as you decide which auto body shop can fulfill your needs. They have years of expertise dealing with all sorts of automobiles in Columbia, Waterloo, Southern Illinois, Millstadt, Freeburg, and Athens, IL.

Preliminaries

• Begin shopping for an auto body shop before you need one; you can make better decisions when you're not rushed or in a panic.
• Ask friends and acquaintances for their suggestions. Even in this modern era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation continues to be valuable.
• Check with the local consumer organization regarding the reputation of the facility at issue. Ask about how many complaints were lodged against them, if any, and determine how the complaints were resolved.
• Always try to visit the auto body shop before you make the decision on who'll fix your automobile.

At the Shop

• Ask if the auto body shop usually handles your vehicle make and model. Ask how long the auto body shop has been in business.
• Look for a neat, well-organized facility with modern equipment. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend specific auto body repair procedures and equipment for the repair of their vehicles. Guarantee that the facility you decide on is trained in these procedures and has the proper equipment.
• Professionally run establishments will have a polite, helpful staff prepared to answer all your questions.
• Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, customer service awards.
• Many times you can easily see the cars being repaired by the auto body shop. Are you impressed by the kind of vehicles the company is fixing and the way the vehicles are being taken care of?
• Also look for signs that the staff is technically competent, like trade school diplomas, certification of advanced course work training from I-CAR.
• All policies, guarantees, and methods of payment ought to be posted or outlined to your satisfaction.

Being alert and observant when you visit an auto body shop will tell you a lot about what to expect from your auto body repair. If you would like an estimate or have questions relating to auto body repair, please contact Charlie's Columbia CARSTAR in Columbia, Illinois.