If your vehicle has been involved in a car accident and you want to find a reputable auto body repair shop, there are a few different guidelines to consider when choosing an auto accident repair facility.

First, you want an auto body repair shop you can trust will do a good job so that your car looks like it was never damaged. Since most body shop’s business comes from referrals and repeat business, ask friends and associates for referrals to local car accident repair shops that have done quality body work for them in the past. Visit multiple facilities and compare prices. Make sure to check out auto body shops large and small, because a large facility with high volume does not always equal excellent service.

When checking out local body shops, take a look around if possible. Does the equipment look modern and clean? Is the shop well-lit? Are they busy? Do the technicians look professional? Since most body repair shops do not allow non-workers from taking an in-depth tour of the shop due to safety reasons, glean whatever information you can by talking to employees and waiting customers. Don’t be shy about asking questions as you want your damaged vehicle to be repaired correctly the first time.

When choosing an auto body repair shop it is important to look for displays of certification of training, such as plaques, that verify your chosen body shop technicians have ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification and I-Car training. Most quality auto body shops will have written proof of a high CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) rating and the I-CAR Gold Class Logo. The latter, which stands for Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, acts of a diploma of sorts for auto body accident repair facilities. This training organization is dedicated to improving the quality, efficiency, and safety of auto collision repair for the benefit of the consumer.

If you are doing business with an insurance company, you have the option of using their preferred auto body repair shop or one you have researched and chosen. Most big name insurers require that the body shops they choose met the I-CAR definition of a Class A shop, and have pre-negotiated discounts for parts and labor with these ‘preferred’ shops in return for providing them with a high volume of business. The insurer preferred auto body shop will offer a warranty on their work that is backed by the insurer, and most body shops participate in Paint Supplier Value-Added Programs and may offer warranties on their paint refinishing work. Evidence of membership in local business groups and trade associations is also a good indicator of an auto body repair shop’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.