As the world’s population increases, so does the number of cars on the road. Most people are good drivers, but there will always be mistakes as well; people get tired, they get distracted by the radio or the person next to them or the person on the phone or thinking about something they have to do; maybe they have a mechanical failure or a blown tire; they experience a medical emergency while driving. Whatever the cause, there are numerous auto accidents every day.
It is estimated that there are more than six million auto accidents each year and most of those result in vehicular damage requiring a professional mechanic and auto body repair work. This can become a very complicated situation. There are two main concerns in this area. The first is where to take the vehicle. It is vital that an honest, professional repairman is employed. The second consideration is the insurance company.
Tips for Choosing the Right Mechanic
Once the initial shock of an auto accident has passed, it is time to choose a mechanic to repair the vehicle. People take pride in their cars – you want your vehicle to look good – but your family and friends who will ride inside it are even more important, and so more than looking good is that it has to run well and safely again once it’s been repaired. Choosing the right mechanic to do so will help ensure the safety of loved ones as well as renew and extend the life of the car.
There are several ways to research the quality of a an auto body repair shop’s workmanship. It cannot be stressed enough that this research should be done thoroughly as it will prevent further costs and heartache in the future. Of course, if you’ve used a certain mechanic before and trust their work, that will be your first choice. If not, two places to turn to are friends and family with previous experience. Another wonderful resource is the internet. A plethora of information can be found on the web including previous customers’ reviews of the company.
Steps to Prevent Future Hassle and Additional Costs
Many mechanics will tell you to drive the vehicle to the repair garage if possible. You may not want to follow that advice, though. The first reason not to do so is that it may cause further damage to the car. The second is that many insurance companies wish to inspect the vehicle and perhaps provide a list of approved repairmen before the car is moved or work is begun.
It is vital that victims of auto accidents pay attention to their insurance company’s requirements. It is also important to remember that not all insurance adjusters are honest. They are, after all, in businesses to make money. To avoid being sidetracked or confused by insurance jargon, it is a good idea to make a list of questions before calling your customer representative. Have a pen handy to jot down the answers to your questions.
Make a list of inquiries for the auto body repair shop, as well. One important question to ask is if the company guarantees his/her work and if the parts have a warranty. Another is whether the business is approved through AAA and offers a discount to members.
At Dings N’ Things, we are upfront about our policies and guarantees and can help you work with the insurance company. Give us a call at 417-886-0151 for all your auto body repair needs.
