After an accident, one of the first considerations is finding a reputable auto body shop to repair your vehicle. While your insurance company may recommend a few places to start, it’s essential to do some research on the businesses before you choose one and take your car in for collision repairs. Here are a few questions to ask the technicians before handing over the keys.

What to Ask at the Auto Body Shop

1. Does Your Work Come With a Warranty?

You need to know if the work is guaranteed and if there is a warranty on their parts and labor. Insurance companies might suggest auto body shops they’ve worked with before, but always check the quality of the shops’ guarantees yourself.

2. Does the Shop Cover In-House Accidents?

There’s a lot of wisdom in reading the fine print. Don’t just assume that your car is safe in their hands; accidents can happen. When they do, ensure that you won’t be liable for the additional costs.

3. Will I Get an Itemized Bill?

Knowing what you are being charged for is a sign of integrity. If a collision center tries to hide fees behind a generic bill with vague language, you can’t be sure what you’re actually paying for or if your car is being repaired.

4. How Long Is This Going to Take?

The answer to this question will depend on several factors, such as the extent of the damage, if you need to order any parts, and how busy the auto body shop is. If you were involved in a minor fender bender, it might only take a day or two; however, ordering components may extend the timeline by a week or so. A reputable company should give you an estimated timeline.

5. What Are Your Payment Terms?

If you’re working through an insurance company, you may be partially responsible for some expenses. In the instance that you are liable for the cost, however, you need to know what the auto body shop’s repayment terms are. Do they finance? If the damage is extensive, and you’re stuck with the bill, you may need to prioritize long-term repayment.