How to pick a collision repair shop after a crash

What a collision repair specialist wants you to know

For survivors and families3 min read

Vehicle repair and total lossRepair shopRepair warrantyRepair estimateInsurance claims

Your insurer may point you to a repair shop. You might also have a shop you already trust. Going with the insurer’s pick can make it easier to coordinate. The bigger question is whether the shop can fix your specific car the right way. In many places, you get to choose the shop. If you go somewhere else, ask the insurer how payment and any repair guarantee would work. [1, 2]

Make sure the shop can handle your car

Ask whether the shop has worked on your make, model and safety features before. Find out how it gets the carmaker’s repair instructions. Ask who does structural work, electronic scans, and camera or sensor calibration when your car needs them. Some shops send part of the work to another specialist. Ask how the shop checks that work and records the results. [2, 3]

Compare how each shop runs a job

Get a written estimate. Ask what the shop does when it finds more damage after taking the car apart. Find out who talks to the insurer and who will ask you to approve extra work. You’ll also want to know how often you’ll get updates. Ask about storage fees, how long the job should take and what happens if a part is late. A low first estimate may just mean some damage is still hidden. [2, 3]

Get the warranty terms straight

Ask what the shop’s warranty covers for labor and parts. The insurer may offer its own guarantee through a shop it recommends. If so, get those terms in writing. Keep the final invoice and every repair report. You’ll need those records if a problem shows up later. [1, 3]

Ask these before you decide

  1. Who will do the safety related work, and who will check it?
  2. How will you tell me about supplements and delays?
  3. What warranty or guarantee will I get?

Call two shops first

Before you approve any repairs, call two shops and put the same three questions to each one. [3]

Sources and further reading

  1. 1Washington insurance commissioner, choosing a repair shop
  2. 2California Department of Insurance, accident and repair guidance
  3. 3Federal Trade Commission, auto repair basics

This is general information from the collision repair side. Rules on choosing a shop and how insurers pay vary by place and by policy. Check your options with your claim handler.

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