It wasn’t your fault. Or maybe it was. After a car accident, it doesn’t matter – you just need a competent body shop to put the pieces back together again. Body work is part art, part science. A good shop can restore the appearance of your car, but even more importantly, it can spot and fix problems under the skin that affect performance and safety.

Fortunately, Bay Area drivers have a lot of good choices. Bay Area Consumers’ Checkbook evaluated 196 local shops, and 56 of them were rated “superior” overall by more than 90 percent of their surveyed customers. On the other hand, 22 got such favorable ratings from fewer than 65 percent of their surveyed customers. Not doing the work right and delays were the most frequent customer gripes.

If insurance covers a repair, price might not matter much to you. But if you’re paying out of pocket, take note: Checkbook researchers got quotes on specific jobs and found big differences. For example, to replace the trunk lid on a 2005 Honda Civic, prices ranged from $687 to $1,477 – a $790 difference. Many of the shops rated best for quality were also among the least expensive on the jobs Checkbook priced.

Comparing prices isn’t always easy when it comes to body work. In most cases, a shop must see a car to make a good repair estimate. But where a specific part has to be replaced – if your car needs a new bumper, for example – you can get an estimate from most shops by phone.

Whenever you might need a body shop, here’s some advice from Checkbook:

– Choose a shop that does a good job of explaining to you what work needs to be done and why. An articulate representative at the body shop will be a good advocate when dealing with an insurance company.

– If there is any chance of serious damage, have the insurer send its estimator to the shop you choose. You’ll get a better evaluation of the damage than you can at a drive-in appraisal center.

– Used parts and “aftermarket” parts – parts made by independent parts manufacturers rather than the original car manufacturer – often cost less and may be perfectly acceptable. Insist that the shop and the insurance company indicate in writing for each part whether it is a used or aftermarket part. If a shop suggests aftermarket parts, say you want parts that are certified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA).

– Make a thorough inspection of finished work before leaving the shop. There is a lot you can judge for yourself. Look and feel whether repaired surfaces are smooth and paint has the proper gloss and color.

– After a major repair, consider taking the vehicle to another shop to confirm mechanical and structural work has been done right.

-Courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle

Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Assn., Inc

Four Basic Consumer Rights

“Consumers need to know their rights, and know that the Insurance Department Stands ready to protect them,” Superintendent of Insurance Eric R. Dinallo said. “If your insurer tells you that you need to get your car inspected or repaired at a particular place, call the Insurance Department at 1-800-342-3736. If, unfortunately, you are in an accident and need to have your car repaired, call the department to find out your rights, or visit our website.”

Dinallo said there are some basic rights of which consumers should be aware:

1. While an insurance company may discuss the benefits of its direct repair program, it cannot make you choose its auto repair shop. That choice is yours.
2. Except for window and glass repair, an insurance company cannot recommend a particular shop unless you ask for a recommendation.
3. An insurance company cannot tell you to go to its shop to get your damaged car inspected. The insurer must meet you at some place and time reasonably convenient to you.
4. An insurance company cannot tell you that you have to repair your vehicle in order to get paid. If you have damage, the insurer must pay the cost of repairing that damage, whether or not you choose to repair the vehicle.

Consumers with insurance-related complaints or questions should call the Insurance Department toll free at 1-800-342-3736 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit the Department’s website at www.ins.state.ny.us. In addition, information about auto insurance for consumers- including publications such as the Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance and the Auto Complaint Ranking – is available free at the website or via toll-free number.

-Courtesy Long Island Auto Body Repairman’s Assn.