Choosing a repair facility to fix your car after an accident
After a car accident, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to get your vehicle repaired. While many people assume they must go to the shop recommended by their insurance adjuster, the truth is that you have the right to choose the body shop that repairs your car.
Finding a trustworthy and high-quality body shop can be overwhelming, but by following these key steps, you can ensure your car gets the best possible repair job.
Table of contents
- Choosing a repair facility to fix your car after an accident
- Know Your Rights—You Can Choose Any Body Shop
- 2. Check Reviews & Ask for Recommendations
- 3. Get Multiple Estimates
- 4. Ask the Right Questions
- 5. Understand What a Direct Repair Program (DRP) Is
- 6. Consider Turnaround Time & Customer Service
- 7. Verify They Are Properly Certified & Insured
- Final Thoughts: Picking the Best Body Shop After an Accident
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Know Your Rights—You Can Choose Any Body Shop
Many drivers don’t realize they can select the repair shop of their choice, not just the one suggested by their insurance company.
🚨 Fact: Insurance companies often have partnerships with certain body shops, known as Direct Repair Programs (DRPs). While these shops may offer faster service and a lifetime warranty, they repair cars based on insurance company guidelines, which may prioritize cost savings over quality.
📌 Key Takeaway: You are not required to use an insurance-recommended shop. Take the time to research and pick a shop that meets your standards.
2. Check Reviews & Ask for Recommendations
🔍 Online Reviews: Look for Google, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews. However, keep in mind:
✔ A few negative reviews don’t necessarily mean a shop is bad—look for overall trends.
✔ Consistently bad reviews about poor repairs, delays, or customer service are red flags.
👨👩👦 Ask Family & Friends: If someone you know regularly gets their car repaired (such as families with teen drivers), they likely have a trusted body shop recommendation.
3. Get Multiple Estimates
Prices can vary significantly between body shops. While some shops may provide lower estimates, cheaper isn’t always better.
✔ Compare at least 2-3 estimates to ensure you’re getting fair pricing and quality work.
✔ Ask if the estimate is final or if it could increase due to additional repairs discovered during disassembly.
✔ Find out if they use factory parts or aftermarket, refurbished, or used parts.
🚨 Pro Tip: Insurance companies may push for used or aftermarket parts to save money, but factory (OEM) parts often offer better fit, safety, and durability.
4. Ask the Right Questions
When choosing a body shop, ask these key questions:
✔ Do you offer a lifetime warranty?
- Reputable body shops provide a lifetime warranty on workmanship and paint.
- Some warranties transfer to the new owner if you sell the car.
- Parts warranties vary—mechanical components (radiators, axles) may not be covered.
✔ Do you specialize in my type of car?
- Luxury and high-performance vehicles (Tesla, Porsche, BMW) may require specialized repair shops.
- A standard body shop may not have the proper tools or expertise for exotic or high-end cars.
✔ How long have you been in business?
- Shops with 5+ years of experience are more stable and less likely to disappear (leaving you without warranty coverage).
- 10+ years of business is even better, showing long-term reliability.
✔ Have you worked with my insurance company before?
- Most reputable shops work with all major insurance companies.
- They do not have to be a DRP to process insurance claims.
✔ Will the estimate change after repairs begin?
- For minor damage (scratches, dents), the estimate will likely remain the same.
- For severe damage requiring disassembly, the estimate may increase due to hidden issues.
- Good shops communicate openly with customers about any unexpected costs.
5. Understand What a Direct Repair Program (DRP) Is
🚗 What is a DRP?
A Direct Repair Program (DRP) shop is contracted by an insurance company to repair vehicles according to their guidelines.
Pros of DRP Shops:
✔ Faster approval process (less waiting time for insurance clearance).
✔ Lifetime warranty on repairs in most cases.
✔ Convenient—some offer rental car services on-site.
Cons of DRP Shops:
❌ May use cheaper aftermarket parts instead of original factory (OEM) parts.
❌ Repair quality may be based on cost-efficiency rather than best practices.
❌ Shops must follow insurance company standards, which may prioritize cost savings over top-quality repairs.
📌 Key Takeaway: DRP shops are not bad, but you don’t have to use one. Many non-DRP body shops also offer lifetime warranties and high-quality repairs.
6. Consider Turnaround Time & Customer Service
⏳ How long will it take to fix my car?
✔ Minor repairs: A few days to a week.
✔ Moderate damage: 1-2 weeks.
✔ Severe collision repairs: 2-4 weeks or longer, depending on parts availability.
👤 Customer Service Matters:
✔ Choose a shop that answers your questions, explains the process clearly, and keeps you updated.
✔ A good body shop should provide status updates on your repairs.
🚨 Warning Sign: If a shop avoids answering your questions or rushing you into a decision, consider looking elsewhere.
7. Verify They Are Properly Certified & Insured
Before handing over your car, ensure the body shop has the right credentials:
✔ I-CAR Gold Class Certification – The industry standard for collision repair excellence.
✔ ASE-Certified Technicians – Ensures mechanics meet professional repair standards.
✔ Proper Licensing & Insurance – Protects against liability and ensures compliance with state regulations.
Final Thoughts: Picking the Best Body Shop After an Accident
Choosing the right body shop isn’t just about price—it’s about quality, trust, and long-term reliability.
🚗 Key Takeaways:
✔ You can choose any body shop—not just the one your insurance recommends.
✔ Get multiple estimates to compare costs, but focus on quality, not just price.
✔ Ask about warranties, experience, and parts used before making a decision.
✔ DRP shops aren’t always the best option—independent shops may offer better quality repairs.
✔ Ensure the shop is certified, licensed, and has good customer reviews.
🚗 Need to find a trusted body shop? Start your search today and choose a repair facility that puts quality and your satisfaction first!
I got my car dented, so I need to get it fixed. It makes sense that I would want to find a good car body repair shop to handle this for me! I’ll be sure to find one that has a good reputation. That way, I can ensure that they do a good job on my car.
I was in a bit of a car accident, and my car got scraped. It makes sense that I would want to find a good repair shop to take a look at it for me! I’ll be sure to ask my friends and family for referrals. That way, I can ensure that I find someone qualified.
I bumped my car in a bit of an accident, so I need to find someone to fix the dents. It makes sense that I would want to find a good body shop to take care of this for me! They would be able to ensure that it ends up looking normal again. I’ll ask my friends and family for referrals on who to get for this.
I’m glad you explained that it is wise to ask for complete estimates when looking for an auto body shop to use. My wife was driving home from picking the kids up from their karate class last week when she got into a small fender bender. These tips are going to be very helpful to us because we need to find someone that can fix the side of our car that has a big dent in it now.
I agree that reviews would tell you a lot about an auto repair shop. I could see how a lot of positive or negative reviews could push you away or towards a certain shop, so it would be good to check those beforehand. Next time my car has an issue, I’ll have to make sure that I look at the average reviews for a shop before I choose one.
I love that you talked about the warranty that some places have and how they might be useless. My son needs to find a collision repair shop because he just got into a wreck. I think it’s smart to find a place that has been around for at least 10 years before you go there.
Thanks for advising finding a collision repair shop that has been open for over 10 years and will work with your car type. My uncle got in a car accident last week on his way home from a fishing trip. He is needing to find a collision repair service, so I will pass these tips over to him to help him pick a good one.
It was really helpful when you said to find one that has been open for 5 years or more. My husband was recently in a small car accident that caused a dent in his car, and he wants to get it fixed soon so that it could look nice aging, and he wants to make sure that he finds a good shop to do it. I’ll make sure to pass this information along to him so that he can know what to look for when searching for an auto body repair shop.
That’s a good idea to ask about what kind of warranties the shop offers for their structural body repairs. My car was t-boned as I was crossing an intersection two days ago, so I need to take it to an auto body shop to be fixed. I will keep in mind to ask about warranties, pricing, and experience, as you suggested.
I loved how you mentioned that you can tell a lot about a body shop when looking at reviews. Last night I got into a small car accident that left a huge dent in my van, and I want to find a shop that can repair it as soon as possible. I’ll make sure to keep this information in mind as I search for an auto body repair shop that can repair my van!
I just got into a car accident about two days ago, and this incident tremendously damaged my bumpers, that’s why I’m currently looking for an auto collision repair service. I’m glad you shared this; I’ll make sure to seek complete estimates from different shops. Also, I’ll keep in mind to ask if they’re offering a lifetime warranty because according to you, this will be able to cover panels and structures.
I really loved that you said that you need to stick with a shop that has been open for more than 5 years because only the strong ones will survive this industry. This is something I had not taken into account, and I feel like it is better to check their reviews and experience more than how long they have been in business. I am planning to ask a buddy of mine to give me some referrals to auto repair shops so I can compare them and their costs and see what would be the best option for me.
Thank you for pointing out that we should be looking for auto repair shops that have been around for 5 years or more. My father’s car recently got hit from the rear while he was waiting for the stoplight at an intersection. He wasn’t hurt but his rear suffered a big bump so he’ll have to bring it to a repair shop soon. I will definitely share with him about finding an experienced auto shop for his car repair.
I liked what you said about how lifetime warranties may be offered and may be transferred. My cousin has been having a hard time with her car because there is a dent on the door that makes it difficult to open or close. She would really like to get some help from a professional so that she can drive it safely.
I like how you suggest getting several estimates from different repair shops if you need bodywork for your car. My brother told me that his son hit a tree with his truck and the back bumper needs to be repaired. I will recommend him to look for a certified collision repair center so that he can be assured that his truck will be properly fixed.
I like your suggestion to pick a body shop that’s been around for a while to make sure we can rely on them to uphold any warranties they offer. My husband wants to find a reliable auto body shop for his sports car because the rear bumper was damaged in an accident at an intersection over the weekend. Thanks for teaching me how to evaluate auto body repair services so we can be sure to pick a good one!
These are all good points on how to find a good auto shop. I agree that you want to get a few different estimates in order to know that you are getting a good deal. My brother recently got in a small fender bender, so he’ll have to find an auto body shop to help out.
Thanks for the tip to find a shop that’s worked with our insurance company in the past to make sure all stipulations are followed. My husband needs to find a collision repair service for his work truck that was involved in an accident earlier this week. I’m glad I read your article and learned what to consider as I help him look for a body repair shop!
I definitely agree with you that it is advisable to read the reviews prior to choosing an auto collision shop to have our car repaired following an accident. My niece got into an accident recently and she is looking to have her car fixed since it is dented in a few spots. I will advise my niece to read the reviews and compare the ratings before she brings in her car.
It made sense when you said that we should ask what parts they’ll be using when we get estimates from different auto body shops. I scratched up the front of my car pretty badly against concrete post when trying to park in a tight spot at the store this morning. I’ll need to find an auto body shop to repair the dents soon, and your suggested questions should help me feel confident in the service I end up choosing!
You make a great point about getting a body shop that specializes in your make and model. I drive a truck and it has 4 big dents in the tailgate. We’ll have to consider getting a shop to repair the gate so I can sell the car soon.
It’s good to know that we shouldn’t be too harsh when comparing estimates although it is a good idea to get several. NOw that I think about it, it would be important to find a body shop experienced with ADAS calibration if our feature has one of those systems installed for driver safety and convenience. Thanks for teaching me how to find a good collision repair service if I ever find myself needing one!
I found it interesting how you mentioned that not too many people know they can choose a body shop themselves. My brother is considering looking for a repair specialist to fix the front bumper on his car because someone backed into it last week at the mall. It seems sensible for my brother to contemplate taking his car to a reputable professional to help make it look as nice as possible again.
This is some really good information about accident repairs. My cousin got into an accident a few days ago and needs to get his car fixed. I like that you pointed out that it would be smart to look into getting a lifetime warranty. That does seem like it could make getting any future repairs done easier.
It’s great that you talked about looking for an auto body shop that provides warranties. Recently, my brother had a minor car accident, and he thinks he could save his car with the help of a professional. That’s why I believe your article will help my brother find someone to repair his vehicle. Thanks for the tips on what to consider when hiring a body shop for your car.
It makes great sense to look for an auto body shop that has been in business for at least 5 years. My brother-in-law’s car was dented pretty badly in an accident and he needs to find a collision repair service. It will be super helpful for him to consider a shop’s experience before he chooses them like you suggested.
Thanks for pointing out that working with an insurance adjuster is also important when planning to go to an auto repair shop. I’m interested in looking for one because I’m planning to get my car checked for damages. I recently got into a minor collision accident so I want to be able to assess the damages as early as I could.