Getting involved in a fender bender can ruin your day, but it doesn’t have to ruin your wallet. People at an Auto Body Repair Shop can work wonders with metal and make your car look like brand new again, but sometimes that comes with a hefty repair bill. Provided that you’re smart and willing to do a little work, there are ways to make sure that you get a great repair while saving money in the process.
* Shop around
* You shop around for most things you buy, so why not do the same for auto repairs? When you take your damaged auto in for an estimate, find out exactly what repairs are needed and then call several other shops to see their estimates for the exact same repairs. Many times you’ll find significant savings by just doing a little comparison shopping.
* Replacement parts
* Insurance companies try to save money by having repairs done with salvage or after market replacement parts instead of OEM (original-equipment manufacturer) ones. You can take advantage of this in two ways. If the accident is not your fault, then instruct the shop to use OEM parts since they will be paid for by another insurer. However, if the accident is your fault or you want to save some money, then you can opt to use salvage or after market parts in your repair.
* Know your insurance
* Do you have a high or low deductible? If your deductible is low and you don’t have to pay out of pocket, then see if you’ll take any kind of hit in your premium if you get the repairs covered by your automobile insurance. Also, your insurer may try to steer you to repair shops in their network, but know that you don’t have to use them if you find their reputation lacking.
* Authorize the repairs
* Make sure the repair shop does no work until you’ve authorized it first. If the repairs don’t match up with the original estimate, it’s your responsibility to find out why and, if satisfied, authorize the additional repairs. You’re the one who is going to be footing the bill so a little vigilance can pay off.
If you’re looking for an excellent auto body shop in the Lubbock, Texas area, Texas Body & Frame provides great repair services using state-of-the art technology at very affordable prices. Before having any repairs done, check with experts about both cost and quality services.
