Body Shop Essentials: What you should know about Auto Body repair.

In the event of an accident, do you have a number for a tow truck in your car? Is all of your insurance information in the car and current?

Did you know that you can choose your Body Shop?  Even though your insurance company or the towing company might recommend a Body Shop, you have the right to choose the Body Shop that repairs your vehicle.

Your Body Shop should provide Free Estimates and work with all major insurance companies.  It is also important to consider loaner car availability if your vehicle is going to be in for a while.

Body Shops offer guarantees on the work they do. Make sure there is a guarantee on the body repairs done to your vehicle.

Ask if there is a warranty or guarantee on the paint work done on your vehicle.

Make sure you body shop has state of the art frame straightening equipment and a down draft paint booth. Down Draft paint booths provide a much better finish.

Make sure your body shop has ASE Certified technicians.

Ask if the Body Shop uses environmentally friendly paints.

Not a bad idea to have a parts department on site so the two departments can work together.

Do not accept delivery without an itemized bill that includes codes designating what parts were used and what was actually done.

Get a written copy of their warranty, if applicable.

Always do a "walk around" the vehicle when the repairs are completed to make sure they were performed properly.

Stand back and make sure the paint matches. Make sure the panels are straight and smooth. Was all the trim removed prior to painting? Are there any dirt particles or swirl marks in the painted area? Is the texture even?

If there was major frame work done, take the vehicle for a test drive before paying the bill.