Just as most people find a doctor before they get sick, so should you select a body shop before an accident occurs? Too often, motorists only search for a body shop after a crash and are usually directed by a tow truck driver worried about his commission or an insurance company trying to keep their cost down. Car accidents, even small ones, are traumatic. Dealing with the health and welfare of the people involved should be top priority, not worrying about where to take your car.
CCRM-Certifying the Automotive Professional
Masters School of Autobody Management tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of Autobody repair and service. This intense course instructs attendants on the fundamentals of management for collision repair owners, managers and support staff. Over 2,200 managers from 50 States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South America have attended this class, the only management education of its kind available to collision repairers. Our Paint & Collision Centre Manager, Miriam Goodger, is a Certified Collision Repair Manager. Earning CCRM status is one of the most prestigious accomplishments within the collision repair industry.
Collision Kids encompasses web pages for two different age groups--elementary and secondary school aged kids. The goal of this website is to encourage interest in cars at an early age, possibly translating into an interest in collision repair later in childhood. This site is designed to be simple but highly interactive to keep a child's interest.
Three basic guidelines will help in the search for the right body shop:
Interview in-depth. Ask friends, colleagues and family for recommendations before picking facilities. Always ask the shop for references of people who have had different types of repairs done at different times. This will provide insight about the shop's strengths in particular areas.
Visit any prospective shop. Look for a clean and organized facility; ask to see vehicles they have just repaired; and request proof of auto body certifications (generally Masters and I-CAR training). Also do they meet government standards and guidelines when dealing with environmental and labour safety? Are they recommended by insurance companies?
Conduct a "background" check. Contact credible consumer "watchdogs" before making a final decision. Determine if there have been any complaints, and if so, how they were resolved. Everybody makes mistakes; it's the way problems are solved that demonstrates true character and ability.
Along with selecting the right shop, make sure you also understand their estimating and repair policies and procedures before an accident happens.
Always instruct your insurance company to deal directly with the shop. If there are differences between the estimate and actual repair, the body shop will deal directly with the insurance company. This is where the time you spent checking out body shops earlier can pay off with a quality job that makes the entire experience less stressful.
Being prepared now will help save time, money and sanity if you're involved in a car accident down the road.
