You just surfaced from the initial stages of an accident. First, the sudden realization of impact. Then, if there was another party involved, the exchange of information. Next, notifying your insurance company.
Now, it’s time to pick an auto repair facility to bring your vehicle to. Where do you go? How do you determine the quality of work and customer care you’ll receive?
Though we can’t promise how other shops run their business, you can get a sense of their commitment to best practices by asking some simple questions. We love it when clients take the time to research how seriously we take our mission to provide high-quality workmanship in a timely manner with 100% client satisfaction. Here are some questions you can ask:
How long will the auto body repair take?
This is probably the #1 question we are asked. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer because there are so many variables, especially the extent of the damage. Though the industry average is much higher, we take 3-7 days for the average repair. This is because we have built-in efficiencies with highly-trained technicians and advisors, fast parts procurement, and up-to-date tools and equipment.
What kind of warranty comes with their auto body repair work?
You need to feel confident the repair will last. For us, this is pretty simple. We warranty all repairs for as long as our customer owns the vehicle – anything less just won’t cut it!
How do I get around while my car is in the shop?
We have a partnership with Enterprise to give our customers a discounted rate on rental cars.
Do you carry fire and theft insurance so that my car is covered by insurance while it is in your shop?
Though not likely at our shop, you need coverage in case your vehicle is damaged, destroyed, or stolen while being repaired. We carry this coverage so you can rest assured.
Will the paint match the rest of my car?
There is only one acceptable answer to this question—Yes! Our approach for color matching is to blend adjacent panels to the one that we’re repairing or replacing. Cars have a paint code that tells us the exact color of the carmaker’s paint, but there is an art to this, as well as science. We also have to account for fading and variations at the time of manufacture. At Cline, you will be 100% satisfied with your repair!
How soon can I wash my car after an auto body repair?
Every auto body shop should return your car to you immaculately clean. But, you should be wary of a shop that tells you to hold off on washing it any time soon. We bake cure every vehicle that we refinish at 150 degrees, making it immediately ready for everyday use, including getting out the microfiber towels and giving it a good scrub.
Do you put everything in writing?
Reputable shops provide an itemized written estimate for auto body repairs and, upon completion of repairs, a detailed invoice. The estimate and invoice must also identify all parts as new, used, aftermarket, reconditioned, or rebuilt. There should never be surprise charges for towing or storage services. We provide you with a detailed estimate before repairs and a detailed final bill once we complete repairs, including the written lifetime warranty.
Can I view repair updates online?
Yes! We gladly supply our clients with ongoing information on demand at Check My Repair Status.
What is the payment policy?
Reputable auto body repair shops post their payment policies. We accept credit and or cash from clients, as well as checks from insurance companies.
Conclusions
Of course, the recommendation of a trusted acquaintance or reviews can also help you make your decision. By any metric, we are sure you will find that we measure up. We bring a commitment to integrity, honesty, safety, and craftsmanship to our relationship with you. You are, after all, our friends and neighbors!