5 Tips for Choosing a Car Repair Shop After a Car Accident

Every year, over 45,000 car accidents happen in New Mexico. After the car accident, you must take the necessary steps of calling the police, exchanging information, and documenting the damage.

Some of the vehicles involved in accidents will get totaled by the insurance company. For a minor car accident, however, car repair is the more standard route. That means choosing a body shop in Albuquerque.

If you’ve never picked an automotive repair shop before, keep reading for some tips on picking the right one for your vehicle after a car accident.

1. Reviews

The Internet levels the playing field for consumers in picking automotive service providers. You can hop onto any number of review sites and see how other customers rate their experience with a repair shop.

Unfortunately, post-accident repairs often prove complex in ways that not everyone understands. So, don’t fixate on a few negative reviews, but do beware of shops with lots of negative reviews.

2. Personal Recommendations

With so many accidents happening every year, there is a good chance that you know someone who got repairs on their vehicle. You can ask them for help in choosing a body shop in Albuquerque. Friends and family can often steer you toward or away from repair shops.

3. Get Several Estimates

As with any major repair you should get estimates from more than one repair shop if you don’t already have a relationship with a repair facility. This gives you a sense of how much the repairs will cost in general. If one shop comes back with a very high or very low estimate, it can serve as a red flag.

Very high estimates may signal that the shop overcharges for their services. Very low estimates can mean that the shop uses low-end aftermarket parts.

4. Experience with Your Vehicle

If you drive a high-performance or specialty vehicle, that can limit your options for a repair shop. For example, electric vehicles or high-end sports cars may require special equipment or OEM parts for proper repair.

Auto manufacturers also use custom paints. If you want your paint job to match after a repair, you must track down a repair shop that offers or will order those paints.

5. Warranty

The last thing anyone wants after a car repair is more car trouble that will cost them money. That means you want a repair shop that offers a warranty on the parts and service. Warranties can vary widely from repair shop to repair shop.

Good shops offer long-term warranties, such as a 3-year warranty. Beware of any shop that doesn’t offer any kind of warranty or guarantee on its work.

Getting Good Repairs After a Car Accident

Getting good repairs after a car accident doesn’t differ that much from getting good repairs following any kind of problem.

You look for guidance from knowledgable friends and family. You check reviews online. You look for shops that offer warranties and get multiple estimates.

If you drive a high-performance or specialty vehicle, however, look for a shop that specializes in those vehicles.

Jay Walton Automotive offers a range of auto body repair services. If you’ve been in an accident and need auto repair work, contact Jay Walton Automotive today.

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