best rated auto body repair shops near me | Auto Group Collision (2023)

FAQs

Is it better to deal with insurance alone or with body shop? ›

The short answer is - consider going with the body shop recommended. It can be tough to find a car repair shop that you like, so when you do, it's your go-to place for repairs. After a car wreck, though, the auto insurance company gives you a recommendation for their preferred auto body shop.

Can an auto body shop waive a deductible? The short answer is yes. After all, it is an agreement between a body shop and a private party.

YES! It's your car, your choice! You are free to choose who repairs your car after a road traffic collision. If you have been involved in a road accident, one of the most frequently misunderstood problems is that motorists are free to choose which repairer fixes their vehicle.

Sprains, strains and tears.

These are the leading injuries sustained by auto mechanics and auto technicians. Repetitive motions while working under the chassis or hood can increase the likelihood of a sprain or strain. Lifting and lowering machinery and heavy tools can also contribute to these types of injuries.

You'll frequently see mechanics speak highly of Toyota and Honda brands, including Lexus and Acura (their respective luxury offerings). If you ask mechanics their opinions about vehicles, they frequently focus on miles, longevity and major repair needs.

AutoZone is the largest Auto Parts store with 5,914 stores.

Yes, you can lower your car insurance deductible at any time by contacting your car insurance company and telling them what you would like your new deductible to be. Lowering your deductible will make your out-of-pocket costs cheaper if you need to file a claim, but it will also result in higher premiums.

How do I avoid paying my deductible? ›

Essentially, the only way to avoid paying a car insurance deductible is not to file a claim. Otherwise, if you file a claim, expect to pay the deductible. While liability coverage doesn't require a deductible, this coverage pays the other driver's expenses for injuries and repairs, not your own.

High-deductible health plan (HDHP)

An HDHP is a health plan with a deductible of $1,500 or more for individuals or over $3,000 for families. The trade-off for having high deductibles is lower monthly premiums, which means cheaper health insurance. Also, HDHPs let you qualify for a health savings account (HSA).

How to Avoid: Get a written repair and cost estimate before you leave your car with the mechanic. Make it clear that they should not perform any repairs other than those estimated, and in case they find more problems, they should get in touch with you.

A good body shop will measure the damaged area of the car and then measure the frame again after it does the repair. The frame specs should be the same post-repair as they were before the accident. The frame spec printout is a good reference document to make sure the job has been done right.

It's all about weighing up the odds and costs. If the cost of repairing your car, or another person's vehicle, after an accident is cheaper by claiming on your insurance, it's probably the best idea. Car insurance is there for these circumstances after all, so you shouldn't avoid using it if you have to.

If the accident wasn't your fault, you can use a credit hire company instead of making a claim through your insurance company. A credit hire company pays for the cost of you hiring a replacement vehicle while yours is being fixed, and pays for the cost of repairs.

What are the 3 types of accident? ›

Rear-End Collisions: the Most Common Type of Accident

As their name suggests, rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another vehicle, says the NHTSA. Many people wrongly assume that the back driver automatically holds the blame for these rear-end accidents.

Generally speaking, safety related and mechanical repairs fall into the “major repair” category. This could include damage that interferes with airbags, broken windows or lights, or the inability to close doors.

The report found that Lexus and Toyota make the most reliable cars, while Jeep and Mercedes-Benz make the ones you can depend on least. But those rankings reflect an average of all the cars each manufacturer builds. There can still be variation within any one brand.

AutoZone's brand is ranked #408 in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of AutoZone. Their current market cap is $45.67B. O'Reilly Auto Parts's brand is ranked #- in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of O'Reilly Auto Parts. Their current market cap is $35.50B.

Comprehensive claims tend to be filed for less damage than collisions, so having a lower deductible is often logical. Collision deductibles can sometimes go as low as $100 or $250, but most agents recommend that you start at $500 and increase if you can afford to.

Deductible choices typically range from $250 to $2,000, with $500 representing the most common deductible choice. A lower deductible—such as $250 or $500—will mean higher auto insurance rates. That's because the lower the deductible, the more your car insurance company will need to pay out if you make a claim.

The average car insurance deductible is $500, which, if a claim is filed, will generally be less than whatever the cost of repairs are for a serious accident. If the cost of repairs is less than your deductible, you should not file a claim.

Do insurance companies ever waive deductible? ›

A collision deductible waiver, also known as a CDW, is an optional insurance feature that some auto insurers offer to waive your collision deductible if you have a qualifying claim. If a driver hits you, your collision coverage will still cover the damage to your vehicle, but you won't have to pay your deductible.

A health insurance deductible is a set amount you pay for your healthcare before your insurance starts to pay. Once you max out your deductible, you pay a copayment or coinsurance for services covered by your healthcare policy, and the insurance company pays for the rest.

Is a zero-deductible plan good? A plan without a deductible usually provides good coverage and is a smart choice for those who expect to need expensive medical care or ongoing medical treatment. Choosing health insurance with no deductible usually means paying higher monthly costs.

When you're willing to pay more up front when you need care, you save on what you pay each month. The lower a plan's deductible, the higher the premium. You'll pay more each month, but your plan will start sharing the costs sooner because you'll reach your deductible faster.

Low deductibles usually mean higher monthly bills, but you'll get the cost-sharing benefits sooner. High deductibles can be a good choice for healthy people who don't expect significant medical bills. A low out-of-pocket maximum gives you the most protection from major medical expenses.

The most you have to pay for covered services in a plan year. After you spend this amount on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for in-network care and services, your health plan pays 100% of the costs of covered benefits.

Honest mechanics will communicate clearly with you in words you can understand before, during and after the repair. Compare any scheduled repair with your owner's manual. Honest mechanics will give you written estimates including parts, labor, and other supplies.

Getting down and dirty is part of a wrench's lifestyle, but a great mechanic's creeper will keep you off the grimy floor and closer to your task. Mechanics creepers — also referred to as dollies or shop creepers — are invaluable goodies for any garage, no matter how small the jobs.

Clear your car of personal items

Remove all personal items from your car when taking it in for a service. Whilst you should never experience any problems at a reputable garage, keeping your belongings on hand ensures they're safe and also prevents any accidental damage during the service process.

Who pays for the repairs on the repair shop? ›

The Repair Shop, which airs every weekday on BBC One, takes on the impressive task of fixing old, broken or damaged treasures. But the show has left many viewers asking the question: who pays for the repairs? Well, no-one does. The 'Repair Shop' is, in fact, a bit of a misnomer.

Contact your bank immediately to let them know what's happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should reimburse you if you've transferred money to someone because of a scam.

If you suspect fraud and would like to file a complaint, call the state Bureau of Automotive Repair at (800) 952-5210. You may also check to see if a repair shop is registered with the state at www.autorepair.ca.gov.

If the mechanic was contracted to perform the work in a skillful manner and he did not, you may be able to sue on these grounds. If the service was provided as part of a warranty on the vehicle, you may have a breach of warranty case.

Shopping around for car insurance should be done periodically to get the best deals on premiums. Research by MoneyGeek found that the same driver can be charged $800 more with one insurer than another, making it all the more important to compare auto insurance quotes regularly.

Business car insurance premiums generally cost more because of the greater risks and higher liability limits the policies are designed to cover. Business users also tend to drive more miles than the average motorist, and at busier times on the road.

Each time you shop for insurance, you're improving your knowledge of the auto insurance industry and what the different options for coverage available to you might be. This can make it easier for you to spot potential opportunities to reduce costs.

When providing notice to your insurance company, however, you do not have to make any statements on the details of what happened in your accident. While you must notify the insurance company of the accident, you should not explain the details of the accident, your injuries, or other potential damages at this time.

A handy rule of thumb is if the cost of repairs approaches 50 percent or more of a vehicle's current market value, it's no longer worth trying to fix it.

Should I claim on my car insurance if not my fault? ›

Yes. You need to declare all accidents that you're involved in, regardless of who or what was at fault. Almost every insurance provider will have a clause in their policy requiring you to declare any incidents you've been involved in while driving in the past 5 years.

Buying car insurance online is a safe, easy, way to get the coverage you need. Reading customer reviews, checking with organizations like the BBB and NAIC, and choosing popular, well known companies can help keep you safe from scammers online.

As always, LV= car insurance customers who use their cars on public roads as well as on private land such as carparks to which the public have access to, your insurance remains the same, and you are covered. Please make sure you read through your Terms and Conditions to see what you're covered for.

If you are a volunteer driver you may not automatically be covered by your regular motor insurance policy.

What is comprehensive car insurance? In a nutshell, comprehensive car insurance cover – sometimes known as fully comprehensive cover, pays out if you damage your car, someone else's car or injure someone in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive car insurance also covers you against fire and theft.

Bundling saves you time

Bundling makes your insurance easy. It can be difficult to track your renewal dates when you have multiple policies with different providers. But with bundling, you'll work with just one provider.