937-224-4283
 
Body Repair Man

How to Choose a Body Shop

Free Quote

Choosing an auto body shop or body repair facility can be confusing. There is a lot of bad and misinformation out there. Remember, it’s your car, it’s your choice. Research your options. Learn the terms. Ask questions and ask for referrals. Then select the auto body shop that’s right for you.

Here are some resources we’ve put together from our experience to get you started:

> 9 Guidelines to choosing a repair facility
  • The shop should offer a "Lifetime Warranty" on it's Body work, and a minimum of "5 years", preferably "Lifetime" on refinishing.
  • Ask the repair facility if they use new "Original Equipment Manufactures" parts, purchased from the dealer or imitation parts. If the shop says they use IMITATION PARTS, leave immediately. No one can perform quality work with junk parts.
  • Make sure the repair facility is an "I-CAR" as well as an ASE certified facility. This assures you all technicians have been trained, and certified.
  • Tour the facility and look at the quality of work and cleanliness of the operation. Examine finished jobs and jobs in progress.
  • Ask the shop if they have any affiliation with insurance company Direct Repair programs (DRP). If they are under contract to work for any specific insurance company they cannot work for you. Working for both sides is not ethical. Look for a repair facility without insurance company ties. The DRP agreements require the facility to work on "their" cars first offering discount on parts and labor, as well as concessions on repair procedures which will affect the quality of repairs to your vehicle. This could cause extensive delays in your repair.
  • Verify the repair facility is registered with the Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Collision Repair and is a member in good standing. You can call the Ohio Board at 614.995.0714, on check their web-page:www.state.oh.us/crb. This group maintains an "Arbitration Board" to resolve any problems you may experience with the repair.
  • Check with friends, co-workers, or mechanics for a recommendation on a repair facility.
  • Never listen to an insurance representative who surely has a friend that they can recommend. Remember their bonus is tied to "low price". In addition. The adjuster may secure favors (free work or cash) for recommending shops.
  • Be wary of repair quotes that are significantly lower from that of a quality repair facility. What are they not doing in the repair process that will affect the safety, appearance, and value of your vehicle?

 

> Know your Insurance Rights

"IT'S YOUR CAR - IT'S YOUR CHOICE"

You have the right to select the shop that will repair your car. In fact, to make processing your claim easier on you, select the repair shop, leave your car there, and notify your insurance agent or company.

How many estimates do you need for a car repair?

In Ohio, you only need to get one estimate. Your insurance adjuster may need to inspect the damage before approving your claim. If your insurance company has a drive-in claims service, and your car is safe to drive, call them for an appointment. Take your car there. Make sure you get a copy of the insurance adjuster's estimate, and take it and your car to the car repair shop of your choice.

Some insurance agent may tell you to get two or three estimates. Talk to your insurance adjuster first. Generally, claims are handled by the insurance company's claims department, not agents. And remember, in Ohio, you only need to get one car repair estimate.

> What is a “Direct Repair Program?”

Direct Repair Programs (DRP) insurers have in place with “preferred” shops are not for the benefit of you the consumer. They are strictly a way for the insurer to maintain control of the repairs, price fix, and keep their costs to a minimum and maximize their profits. Through these agreements, many claims are paid out at far less than what you, the insured are contractually owed. 

DRP shops are “graded” on how fast and cost effective the repairs are done; quality too often takes a back seat. These agreements also state the shop must pay for your “extra days” of rental if they do not have the vehicle repaired in the time the insurer thinks it should take. The insurer is not a car repair professional!

Ask yourself if you want your vehicle repairs potentially compromised because the shop has to rush the job or suffer a “failing grade” and pay for a portion of your car rental. Is this the motivation you want your repairer to use when your car is in the shop? Safe and proper repairs should be the primary motivation of all shops.

You will find that insurers are not warranting anything. While they may claim to warranty non-factory, salvaged (junkyard) and remanufactured parts, ask the insurer how they can warranty your safety in the meantime while you drive down the freeway at 70mph with junkyard suspension parts under your vehicle!  A warranty is no good if you are injured, or worse.

 

> Don't Let Them "Steer" You

Don’t believe everything that you hear from an insurer when it is trying to “STEER” you to a repair shop.  Don’t be fooled! These phrases and others like them are used to control you through intimidation and fear. Read your policy and always remember, it’s Your car! Your Choice!

Learn these phrases most often used by insurers to deceive consumers:

"You will have to pay more if you go to the shop of your choice."

Insurers make this statement to intimidate you.  The insurer has to pay to have all accident related repairs completed.

"We won't warranty the repair if you go there."

Ask the insurer for a copy of this "warranty" and who will do the re-repairs, remember insurers don't actually repair anything, so they can’t do warranty repairs.

"If you go to our network shop we will warranty the repairs for as long as you own the car."

Insurers don't repair cars, so how can the company do a warranty repair. 

"We can't give you a rental if you use them."

If you have rental on your policy take advantage of it, if you are a claimant hit by someone else they have to put you into a rental vehicle. 

"They won't agree with our appraiser."

Appraisers are not repair professionals.  Never give up your rights on a claim, you should NEVER let any repair shop negotiate and settle your claim with a person who doesn’t repair vehicles.  Shops that “agree” often with appraisers are trying to remain friendly with the insurance companies.  YOU are the customer; never let a “preferred” shop demote your status!  

"We have had a hard time with that shop/We can’t work with that shop." Typically means the shop is reputable to the point that it refuses to cut corners and keep information from you, the vehicle owner.  These are the shops consumers should “prefer”.

"They are not on our preferred list." 

Preferred” means the insurance company “prefers” you use a shop that has signed an agreement to pre-negotiate your repairs by giving the insurer discounts, using inferior parts, and possibly not doing all necessary processes to repair your vehicle properly.  Many of these shops will admit that the insurer is the real customer because they are “paying the bill”.  That is YOUR money!

"If you go to a non-preferred shop your repair will be delayed waiting for our adjuster to inspect the vehicle."

Delays are the insurer’s issue and should not be your problem.  Most state insurance regulations state insurers must respond within a reasonable amount of time.  This is simply another tactic to “encourage” you to use a “preferred” shop and hoping to appeal to a “microwave society” mindset. 

"If you go to our shop we can pay them directly and it will be faster."

Why would you want them to pay the shop? It is your money, the check should be written to you!

> Body Repair Shops in Dayton, Oh and Surrounding Areas

We have provided a listing of Body Repair Facilities in or around the Dayton area. Talk with any of them before or after visiting Trimbach'e Body Shop.

 

 

Body Shop Services

We do it all from collision repair to new auto paint to scratch repair and removal on your car. Check out our body shop services:

Fast and Easy Quotes!

Car repair estimates are always free and easy at Trimbach’s. Walk-ins welcome from 8-5:30 or make an appointment to fit your schedule.

Consumer Protection

Our goal is to be a Consumer Protection Body Shop with every thing we do. From our training to our tools to our processes, we put you, and your car, first.

Your Car! Your Choice!

If your car has been damaged in an accident, keep in mind these important car repair tips before you have you get an estimate.

 

Questions?

Call (937) 224-4283

 

Trimbach's Body Shop services and repairs all makes and models including...

 

Trimbach's Body Shop and Collision Repair ©2010. Dayton, Oh.

logos
 

937.667.8297
Dayton: 937.224.4283
Fax: 937.667.7955

Map / Directions