Top 10 Questions to Ask an Auto Body Repair Shop In Medford

After a car accident, you want to get your vehicle repaired by a professional auto body shop. While you can find a repair shop on just about every corner, not all are qualified to fix your ride. You need to find a reputable shop, but it will require some research by you. Here are the top 10 questions you need to ask before bringing your vehicle for repairs in Medford.

1 – What Do Customers Say About Your Shop?

Today, you can easily find reviews of an auto body shop online. There are plenty of customer reviews, third-party ratings, and blog articles that can help you make a decision. In some cases, you could look at the shop’s website, but they often highlight just the good reviews. If you are still in doubt, you could always check out their BBB rating and reviews as well. Keep in mind that many more people are willing to leave a review for bad service rather than a good job.

2 – Is the Repair Shop Certified?

Many repair shops will proudly display their I-CAR, ASE, and OEM certifications. With those designations, you can be assured that the technicians have the training, skills, and knowledge to complete a top-quality repair on your vehicle. You can usually find these certification badges on their websites, marketing pamphlets, and in the waiting room.

3 – How Does the Shop Communicate With Clients?

Many shops have moved to modern times and adopted new procedures to keep in touch with their customers. This new technology allows clients to book appointments online, receive status updates via text, and send photos for an estimate. However, not all shops have upgraded from the old-fashioned way of conducting business with handwritten notes and phone calls. While these updated features are convenient, they do not necessarily mean the shop is better than others in the area.

4 – Does the Shop Work on My Particular Make and Model?

Anyone who drives a foreign model or rare make could have some trouble trying to find replacement parts. Along with that, you want to make sure that the repair shop has the experience, tools, and equipment to restore the appearance of your ride.

5 – Does the Shop Supply a Loaner Car?

When your car is in the shop, you know it can be a hassle without a vehicle. Some shops have agreements with rental car agencies for reduced rates. Other auto body repair shops may have a car rental facility on the property. In some cases, they may even have their own courtesy vehicles for you to use.

However, before you sign for the rental car, make sure to read the contract. You should take photos of the vehicle before leaving the shop and once you return it. Otherwise, you could be responsible for any damage discovered on the car.

6 – Does the Shop Provide a Written Estimate?

Before work is started on your car, you need to get a written estimate. Once the work is done, you need to ask for an itemized bill. If the numbers don’t match up, you should question any of those discrepancies.

In the waiting room, many auto body shops will post their shop procedures and payment policies. Many of these policies will outline the warranty information, guarantees, forms of payment, labor rates, and material costs.

7 – How Long Will the Repair Take?

Along with the price, you need to find out when you can expect your car back from the shop. Since every job is different, you could get several different answers. Some factors could influence the length of the repair, including the shop’s workload, part procurement process, and the extent of the vehicle’s damage.

The experience and training of the technicians can also shorten the time in the shop. In some cases, the auto body shop could outsource your work, increasing the time that your car is in for repairs.

8 – Will the Paint Match the Car?

With most repairs, you will need to have new paint applied to the fixed areas. You don’t want to drive a car that has two different paint colors. Today, many auto body repair shops will use the manufacturer’s paint code under the hood, inside the door jam, or in the trunk. The technician will simply program in the code, and it mixes the paint to be an identical match to your car. With modern technology, they can pair up the colors without any problems.

9 – Does My Insurance Cover the Vehicle at the Shop?

Accidents can happen at any time. You want to make sure that your vehicle is protected from theft, burglary, and damage while it is in the shop. In some cases, the auto body shop will carry theft and fire insurance to protect the vehicles in the building. You also want to keep paying those insurance premiums on your policy. Along with that, you want to have the car insured since technicians will be test driving your vehicle.

10 – Does a Warranty Back the Repairs?

You want to know that the shop will back up their work. If the repairs are faulty, the shop should correct them in a timely manner at no cost to you. Many repair shops offer a warranty on their work. However, you need to find out the time period, coverage details, and whether other shops will honor the warranty if you happen to move.

There are many things to consider before you bring your vehicle in for a repair. You should find a reputable shop that guarantees their work. In addition to that, an auto body shop will have the proper certifications and experienced technicians to work on your vehicle. These questions will help you narrow down your search to find the right shop for your car.

Looking for an Auto Body Shop Near Me?

If you are looking for a professional auto body repair shop near Medford, make sure to reach out to Elmer’s Auto Body. Our experienced technicians can bring your car back to life after an accident. You can set up an appointment by calling our shop at (856) 218-0202.