Things to know about auto body shops
• Auto insurers contract with approved shops to repair vehicles for a prenegotiated rate (think of it as managed care for sick cars). That could make your car the victim of cost-cutting. "Insurers have wired the shops to give them so many discounts that, to stay alive, the shops often do the bare minimum," says Erica Eversman, of Vehicle Information Services. For a list of independent shops that meet certain quality criteria, go to www.assuredperformancecare.com.
• Original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are designed to match precisely and may be safer. But insurers prefer that shops use generic or salvage replacement parts because they're cheaper. If you cause an accident, you could be bound by wording in your policy to use aftermarket parts — or pay the difference for OEM parts. But if someone hits you, tell the shop to use OEM parts.
• Renting a car for three weeks could cost $1,000 or more. Even if you have optional rental-car insurance (which costs $1 or $2 a month), your daily reimbursement may be limited to the cost of a compact car. If you need a minivan while your car is in the shop, make sure you have minivan-size coverage.
• Your car needs a shop that speaks its language. Replacement parts for late-model European vehicles have to be fit with an especially high degree of precision. Shops should be certified by the manufacturer to do the work, meaning that they have specialized training and equipment — and charge higher rates. Insurers won't necessarily recommend these shops, but they should be willing to pay the tab.
• Insurers sometimes dangle warranties on the parts (for as long as you own the vehicle) to entice you to go to shops in their network. But the body shop's guarantee is the one that's important. Nearly all shops will guarantee their work, and parts makers guarantee their parts, making the insurance warranty all but worthless.
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