Does your vehicle need smash repairs? Choosing an appropriate repair shop can be a daunting experience. It is especially so since most car owners will want their cars in a near-new state. This article discusses how to vet and choose panel beaters to repair your vehicle.

Insurance Considerations

If you have a comprehensive insurance cover, your insurer could have strict instructions regarding which garages can repair your vehicle. As such, you should contact your insurer and inquire about accredited garages in your locality. If the garages are far from where the accident occurred, you will need a tow truck to transport your vehicle to their premises. 

Experience

Below are a few tips to gauge the experience of the body shop: 

  • What is the specialisation of the garage? Some will deal with saloon cars while others will deal with trucks.
  • Most garages can repair minor dents and scratches. However, you may need to conduct some background research if your vehicle requires extensive repairs such as installing a half-cut or repairing the frame.
  • Check the equipment at the garage. Car body jacks will help mechanics repair roof and body frame damage. Car lifts will assess them and repair underneath components. A paint booth will restore the car paint to original condition.
  • Check the availability of spare parts. Work with garages that have long term relationships with manufacturers, car part dealers and car removal businesses. It ensures they can source car parts at discounted prices. 

Services Provided

Check the services that the garage provides. For instance, other than body repairs, some garages will repair a broken engine and transmission. If you have a strict deadline, consider repair shops that provide 24/7 services. Some garages will give a courtesy car to ensure that you can continue with your daily activities as they repair your vehicle. Others offer roadside assistance services. As such, they will conduct minor repairs without you having to visit their premises.

Cost and Terms 

The repair services should be affordable. As such, compare the pricing policy of a few garages in your area. Most repair shops will give discounts to encourage customer loyalty. Check the terms of the garage. For example, will they charge for storage fees as they repair your car? Check whether the company will offer guarantees once they complete the smash repairs. 

When choosing a smash repair garage, check the terms of your insurance company, evaluate the experience of the garage, inquire about the available services and compare the cost and terms of a few reputable garages. 

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