How to Price Shop your Body Repair

Maybe it’s the 3 teenagers living in our house that have us more aware of the increased costs of goods and services lately?! But man, we are feeling how expensive life is, which has us careful to decide how to spend the money we work hard for! When it comes to choosing the best auto-body repair shop, it’s no different! This article is to help inform you on how to best price shop in the event of an accident!

Consider the TOTAL costs of repair

Customers after an accident often asks, “How much is this going to cost?”

True, a written repair plan must include the total costs of repair. And true, it can be expensive. However, TOTAL costs go deeper than a number on an itemized report. Know what this report must include. The goal is to get your car back to it’s pre-accident condition in the most safe, honest, and effective way. Let’s talk about what that should entail!

THINGS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRICE SHOP:

PRICE OF YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY

Safety needs to be the number one priority for everyone. (You, the collision shop, the insurance provider). However, this is not always happening.

Vehicles have vital safety systems designed to keep you alive in the event of an accident. Within the repair, it is critical that your repair plan includes right applications that restore vehicle systems back to their safe, pre-accident condition. However, major players in the industry don’t want to be accountable to these right methods of repair. At our body shop, we see some of the largest insurance companies as the worst culprits: They pay for expensive, well-done advertising– with ads that include some of our nation’s top sport and holly-wood personalities that champion their neighborly service. However, these same insurance companies refuse to pay for their customers’ right repair. They refuse to reimburse customers with safe parts, and safe practices.

Sadly, many of these multi billion dollar companies have structured relationship deals with national chain body shops. Why? They are all able to profit off people in stuck-situations. At Mannes Body Shop, we choose to be different. We repair vehicles with the same process your manufacturer recommends. We also advocate for our customers every step of the way with safe practices. Improper repair has potential to be deadly. A proper calibration, function test, and proof of documented procedures ensures customers’ confidence. Cars must return to the road as safe as possible. Consequently, lives depend on it. https://www.mannesbodyshop.com/frequently-asked-questions/

CONSIDER TYPES OF PARTS ACTUALLY BEING INCLUDED

When you price match your collision estimate, and compare one body shop itemized report to another, it’s important to know what parts you are actually comparing and receiving! You can find cheaper alternative parts to fix your car, but keep in mind that none of these options are approved by your vehicles manufacturer.

OEM parts undergo safety testing and guarantee a perfect fit for your vehicle. These regulated parts are specifically designed to work seamlessly within your vehicles’ integrated system. This is what Mannes Body Shop uses. However, certain insurance companies will only pay for unregulated, ill-fitting parts, with no warranty. After market and used parts are not the same in quality and show inferior ability over time. They do not ensure you are safe on the road after a collision and may not withstand another collision or accident. If a body shop or insurance company has these written on your repair plan, know you deserve better. https://www.mannesbodyshop.com/vehicle-care/how-does-a-body-shop-decide-what-is-the-best-part-to-use-for-fixing-my-vehicle-new-oem-or-used-aftermarket/

CONSIDER HOW YOUR VEHICLE GETS PAINTED

Have you ever been in a parking lot and noticed someone’s car door doesn’t match the car’s other panels? This is clear indication that the vehicle was entrusted to a below-average paint technician. The next vehicle buyer will know instantly your car has been in an accident. Protect your value and make sure your car is in expert hands. At Mannes, our paint technicians have decades of experience. Applying automotive paint is an art form that requires painters use proper preparation techniques; understand how to properly apply a good product; and see color in an expert way. Paint is so much more than just a shiny exterior, it protects metal surface from environmental contamination. A robot applied the paint finish at the factory. But after a repair, it is a human. Entrust the right person to help restore and protect the value of your car. https://www.mannesbodyshop.com/services/auto-paint-services/

UNDERSTAND HIDDEN DAMAGE COSTS

After a collision, hidden damage is common. Energy from a collision travels the whole vehicle. After an accident, there is often a lot of visible and hidden damage. A proper disassemble allows the team at Mannes to assess all damage. And we only use OEM repair procedures to build our repair plan. Our certified repair planners will walk you through our repair process and answer any questions regarding the estimated repair plan.

https://www.mannesbodyshop.com/vehicle-care/the-best-body-shop-near-me-and-how-to-be-informed-youve-made-the-right-choice/

The cost of safe vehicle repair has increased, but Mannes Body Shop stays committed to offer safe reliable repairs at a fair price to both our customers and their insurance company partners. If you are involved in an accident, make sure you always understand the TOTAL cost of your repair. Choose a shop that is willing to explain their process and return your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition.

To price out repair costs, make sure you look beyond the final quote on the bottom of an itemized report. Look at everything being included, and ask yourself, “what is not being included that should be?” Life is in drive. Stay safe! https://www.mannesbodyshop.com/about/