Choosing an Auto Body Shop for Your Damaged Vehicle

We have no shortage of auto body shops in Atlanta, from corporate franchises to local garages, and you may already have a body shop you trust if you have had work done on your vehicle before. After a car accident, you will certainly want to make sure that your car is fixed properly and that the repair costs are covered.  In order to do so, you may be wondering if you can go to any collision shop, or if you have to follow the insurance company’s recommendation. 

All insurance companies have “preferred providers.” These are the auto body shops that give discounts to the insurance company for bringing them business. Your insurance company will want you to go to a preferred provider in order to pay as little as possible for repairing your vehicle.  To encourage you to go to their preferred provider, they will make the process relatively easy. For example:

• With a preferred provider, the body shop will generally be located near you, and the shop will have experience dealing with your insurance company and their specific procedures.  
• Insurance companies generally use only ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified, insured auto body shops.
• Because the body shop has a relationship with the insurer, your repairs may get done faster.
• You won’t have to negotiate pricing because the shop will tailor the bill based on the insurance company’s standards.

But, there also may be disadvantages to going with a preferred provider. These include:

• Because the body shop is trying to keep costs low for the insurance company, they may use generic or salvaged parts to fix your car rather than original equipment manufacture (OEM) parts for the repairs.  In Georgia, a vehicle owner has the right to know if salvaged parts will be used for the repairs, including a break down of each of the parts.  
• A preferred provider may not fix hidden damage to your car in order to keep the cost of the repairs down.
• Preferred providers are on the insurance company’s side, not yours, which means the shop may put your insurer’s interests and bottom line ahead of yours.

If you take your vehicle to a shop of your choice, your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to provide his or her own estimate. You and your technician may have to play hardball with your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs. This may somewhat delay getting your car fixed, but knowing your vehicle has been repaired completely and correctly is usually worth it for you. Please also note that your insurance company may owe you money for the diminished value of your automobile after an accident.

Dealing with insurance companies and repair shops after a car accident can be frustrating and confusing. The Georgia car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers can help you protect your rights and interests, and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to under your insurance policy. Call us today at (404) 460-0101 to discuss the best next steps you can take after a car wreck anywhere in Georgia.