How to choose a Tucson body shop- Part two

  

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Last week we explored how to choose the right auto body shop in Tucson Arizona. Today we are continuing that discussion.

How long will repairs take? A good shop will average a week or less. Remember, that’s only an average—if your car is going to take longer than that, the body shop manager should tell you up front what to expect.

Finding a Body Shop That Will Work With Your Insurance Much of the body work done by any shop is covered by some kind of insurance policy, either because of a vehicle accident or some other kind of damage to an insured car. It’s important to find a body shop that will work with the insurance company in order to protect your pocketbook.

The ideal body shop provides a form so that you can instruct your insurance to send payment directly to the shop. That way you don’t have to go to the bank and deposit your check and then wait for the check to clear before you can make payment to the body shop.

Your body shop manager should also explain to you that in addition to your deductible, the insurance company might deduct depreciation from your insurance check. Ask the manager in advance if he can find out what that extra deduction might be.

Your insurance company cannot require you to get three estimates. You are permitted to use your preferred body shop. All you need to do, once you’ve reported the damage to your insurance agent, is tell the agent where you are having the repair work done. Keep in mind that reputable body shops will not promise to help you avoid paying your deductible. That is actually not ethical or legal. You’ve also got to consider, if the body shop is cutting corners to save the cost of your deductible, they are actually cutting corners on the quality of the work they will do on your car.

Conveniences-  Having your car out of commission really puts a dent in your life, no pun intended! You should look for a good body shop that will go out of its way to provide the conveniences you need at a time like this. Look for a shop that has a car rental desk right on the premises. You want a place with a towing service and/or a night drop. How about a shuttle service that will get you where you need to go, or a café so that you can sit back and relax while you wait for your vehicle to be finished?

All these little details add up to a body shop that really wants your business and will go the extra mile to get it.

Reputation - When all is said and done, there can be no better recommendation for a body shop than GM certification, recognition by Auto Body Repair News, or a good standing with your local community’s Better Business Bureau. Each of those organizations has standards that a business must meet in order to attain a good rating.