How to Choose an Honest Auto Body Shop

They “Bury the Deductible”

Some shops will offer to help customers save money by lumping the deductible into the insurance claim. This tactic is often called “buying the deductible” or “saving the deductible” – but it isn’t very ethical.

Auto body repair centers that offer this are essentially trying to scam the insurance company and consumers by either not performing repairs or overcharging for labor or repair work.

So, be cautious of any shop that tells you they’ll waive your car insurance deductible, because they don’t really have the power to do that legally.

They are Evasive & Delay Work

While it’s completely normal for body work to be delayed, it’s not normal for your collision center to evade you, their customer. If you are playing telephone tag with the shop or can’t seem to get a definitive deadline to pick up your vehicle, they might be taking advantage of you.

Once you do get your vehicle back, bring it into another local collision repair center or service center for an inspection. Specifically request that they look at the work the first body shop supposedly performed.

They Always Agree with Your Insurer

Again, the auto body shop you pick should always be in your corner. If they agree with your insurance company 100% of the time, you may want to question their motives.

Shady vehicle repair facilities will form special relationships with insurers – kind of like a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” type of scenario – that benefits both the shop and the insurer. These facilities are not advocating for you.

Instead, your body shop should be notifying you when and why your insurer is incorrect, then provide you with suggestions to improve your claim.

They are Your Insurer’s “Preferred” Auto Body Shop

In that same vein, be wary of any collision shop that’s “preferred” by your insurer. Although there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with being an insurance company’s preferred collision center, that designation doesn’t automatically make it the best body shop for collision repair. Do your research as we outlined in the previous section before making a choice or judgment.

They Won’t Explain Estimates or Repair Process

If your auto technician or body shop mechanic knows what they’re doing, they should also know how to explain everything to you when they give you a quote. If they can’t, you should question every line item on the estimate. What’s more, your estimate should be detailed, not just one or two lines.

For instance, if you need to replace and repaint your dented quarter panel, the estimate provided by your body shop should break down the costs and work associated with removing the bumper, unhooking the taillights, taking off the side panels, and all other forms of labor or components. The entire repair process should be explained to you when you ask – and you should ask.

They Scam You on Auto Parts

Dishonest body shops and car repair centers will force you to pay for car parts that you don’t need. The really dishonest shops will force you to pay for car parts that they don’t even install. Instead, they’ll charge you for a new component then either never install it (because it wasn’t needed) or they’ll pocket the component and replace yours with some used, salvage car part.

Ask your body shop to show you the receipt for the part, the packaging for the part, and, better yet, the new part installed.

They Give Lowball Estimates

In some instances, smaller body shops will write an estimate that’s so low, it makes you question the legitimacy of the other auto shops who provided higher estimates. Here’s why it shouldn’t:

A “low-ball” estimate can sometimes be a shady tactic to just get your car in the shop (called “seizing the keys”). Once there, the technicians will dismantle the car and magically discover new damage that needs to be repaired. Unfortunately, you won’t know you’re being scammed until it’s too late, which is why it’s important to go with an honest auto repair shop from the get-go, not just the cheapest auto body shop near you.

Of course, hidden damage isn’t unheard of. In fact, it’s pretty common – you can’t really see what’s going on with a vehicle – particularly all parts of the frame – without first taking it apart. So, when you find an honest autobody mechanic and shop, you stick with them for years.

Need an estimate for collision repair or PDR in Kansas City ? Contact any of our McCarthy Collision Centers in MO and KS for a free quote! We offer a full menu of auto repair services and are trusted by thousands of local drivers.