After an accident, the first thing you'll need to do is locate a great body shop. If you've had repairs done in the past, then you may be able to rely on a company you've already worked with. On the other hand, if you've never had body work done, then finding a good shop may be a little more difficult. Fortunately, drivers who plan to make an insurance claim for their repairs can count on their insurance companies to provide them with a list of options. Without insurance recommendations, you may need to do some research on your own.
Once you have located several options and narrowed down your choices, you'll want to compare them to one another and find the best choice. All drivers are going to have different needs, so it's prudent to think about what you want out of your own body repairs. If the quality of the paint for your vehicle is what's most important to you, you'll want to select a body shop that has a good reputation for providing excellent paint jobs.
Your next step will be to get an estimate from the body shop you've chosen and approve it. If you've chosen to go through your insurance company for repairs, then you'll need to get approval from your provider. If you're paying for repairs out of your own pocket, you'll be responsible for reviewing the estimate and agreeing to it. Once you've signed all of the authorization forms, then your repairs can begin.
Before your repairs start, it may not be possible for your auto body shop to give you an estimated time of completion, but this is the next step you should take once the repairs have started. Keep in mind that it may take a few days for your auto body shop to give you a good estimate, as there may be more structural damage than you initially thought. Throughout the process, your auto body repair pros should be willing to update you on the progress being made. You'll want to be well aware of when you can expect to get your car back, so that you can make sure your transportation needs are met. If the auto body repair shop hasn't delivered your repairs on time, it will be up to you to contact them and ask why.
Your final step will be picking up your vehicle and inspecting the work your body shop has completed.
If you're well aware of the process behind getting repairs from auto body shops, then your repairs are likely to go much smoother. A lot of drivers have never had to deal with auto body shops before, so going through the process of finding a good shop and getting repairs is likely to be unfamiliar territory. Even if it's your first time getting such body repairs, the process can be simple and easy so long as you know what to expect.
