Introduction
Statistics suggest that over 12 million vehicles in the US are involved in car accidents and collisions every year. With around 280 million drivers on the roads, the US has some of the world’s busiest highways and road networks. Accidents happen, and there can be devastating consequences. If you have been involved in a crash, the last thing you need is the stress of dealing with poor-quality repairs. In this guide, we’ll offer advice to help you if you’re not satisfied with damage repairs following an accident.
What to do if you’re not happy with car repairs after an accident
Car accidents can be distressing, especially if you’ve sustained injuries or your car has been severely damaged. When you have a collision and take your car to an auto body shop for repairs, you expect the job to be done to a high standard. If you arrive at the shop to find your car has not been repaired properly, it’s important to take action, rather than drive away and not say anything. If experts tend to your car, it should look the same as before the accident, and it should be safe and comfortable to drive.
If you’re not experienced in dent removal and vehicle repairs, videos like the one below may be helpful:
Here are some steps to take if you’re not satisfied with auto body repairs:
- Carry out a thorough inspection
When you arrive at the auto body shop, the first step is to inspect the work thoroughly. Take a close look at the car, paying attention to the damaged areas and assessing the quality of car repairs, including paintless dent removal. Reputable, reliable auto body shops should provide post-repair inspection as standard to ensure high-quality repairs.
- Raise concerns with the manager
If you’re not happy with the standard of repairs, or you’ve spotted signs of substandard work, ask to speak to the manager. Raise any concerns you have with them and look at the vehicle together. Point out and highlight any issues that you’re unhappy about and discuss the next steps. In many cases, the manager will make arrangements for further repairs before the car returns or a bill is sent to the relevant insurer.
- Ask for a post-repair inspection
Reputable, trustworthy auto body shops provide post-repair inspections as standard, but some businesses may not offer this service. If your car has not passed an inspection, it is possible to arrange for a third-party assessment, which will flag any issues and ensure that the quality of the work meets expectations.
- Contact your insurance provider
Your car should be in good condition when you go to the auto body shop ready to collect it. If you’ve spoken to the manager, you’ve outlined problems, and you’ve arranged for an inspection, and you’re still not happy with the situation, the next step is to get in touch with your insurance provider. Your insurance company will be able to raise a dispute on your behalf if an agreement cannot be reached with the auto body shop. In this case, the insurer may request an additional post-inspection assessment.
- File a complaint
Customers have the right to file a complaint if they are not satisfied with the work quality and feel that the auto body shop has not done its job properly. Experts will review your complaint and take action if they agree that the repairs do not meet the required industry standards. Experts will review your complaint and take action if they agree that the repairs do not meet the required industry standards. If you cannot agree, the last resort is to file a complaint through the state Bureau of Automotive Repair. The final step may involve taking the car to a different dent repair specialist or claiming a refund or adjustment.
Minimizing risks when choosing an auto body shop
Nobody takes their car to an auto body shop after an accident, expecting to go through the ordeal of raising issues and complaints about poor standards of work and jobs that haven’t been done properly. It’s not always possible to avert every risk, but there are steps you can take to maximize the chances of finding a reputable auto repair shop. These include:
- Reading reviews and testimonials: more and more people are checking online reviews and testimonials before deciding which auto body shops to choose. Excellent ratings indicate good customer service and a high standard of work.
- Searching for auto body shops that offer guarantees: a reliable auto body shop will always offer guarantees when repairing a dent or carrying out more extensive work following an accident. Always ensure you choose a business that provides guarantees as standard.
- Research auto body shops: it’s beneficial to spend time researching multiple auto body shops and dig in to gather information and find out more about each business. Be wary of auto body shops that don’t have reviews or contact details online and those that don’t offer guarantees.
- Ask for recommendations: if you know people who have been in a similar situation, ask for recommendations. It can be reassuring to choose an auto body shop that comes recommended by people you trust.
First-class dent repairs in Dallas
The best way to avoid problems and setbacks following an accident is to choose a trustworthy dent repair specialist with an outstanding track record. Bodyguard PDR & Damage Repairs specializes in affordable dent removal, offering expert dent repairs in Dallas. Bodyguard has been serving Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 18 years, and in that time, we have repaired more than 20,000 vehicles. We are proud of our work and the relationships we’ve built with long-term, repeat customers who trust us enough to recommend us to others.
Summary
If you’ve been involved in a car crash, the last thing you need is the stress of dealing with an auto body shop that hasn’t repaired your vehicle properly. If you’re looking for a repair shop to fix your car and remove dents, it’s always wise to take your time to conduct research, read reviews and get to know the team. Bodyguard PDR & Damage Repairs offers seamless, affordable, high-quality dent repairs in Dallas. Please get in touch with us if you need assistance with accident repairs or you’d like to find out more about the services we offer.