Was your vehicle involved in an accident? Perhaps it was damaged in a storm, or maybe it was stolen and wrecked before the police could recover it. In all of these instances, it’s important to have the damage repaired as quickly and accurately as possible. That means you’ll need to work with an NJ auto body shop. How do you choose the right shop, though?
Get Recommendations
While you can look up any body shop in New Jersey today online in just seconds, there’s a lot to be said about personal recommendations from friends and family. Not only does this give you a direct connection to the shop, but it gives you the chance to talk to the person making the recommendation about their experience, about the rates charged, the repair time, and more.
ASE Certification
ASE stands for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This certification is the gold-standard when it comes to mechanics and body shop technicians. You may also want to look for brand certification, as this shows that the shop has knowledge and familiarity.
Complete Repair Capabilities
It’s important that you choose an auto body shop that can handle all of your repairs, both body-related and mechanical issues if there are any that need to be addressed. It might seem strange, but many body shops do not offer mechanical repairs, and many mechanic shops do not offer body work. Failing to make sure that the shop you choose can offer both will mean that you have to work with two different shops, increasing your costs, and the time required to get back on the road, as well.
Convenience
While knowledge and expertise are critical considerations, you also need to make sure that the body shop you work with offers convenience. For instance, if your car is not drivable, can the shop send a tow truck or are you on the hook for that yourself? Once the car is in the shop, can they offer you a rental or loaner car so that you can take care of what you need to while your car is being repaired?
These are just a few of the things you’ll need to consider when choosing an auto body shop in New Jersey. The right shop will be ASE certified, recognized by major automakers, offer complete repair capabilities, and offer solutions to increase your convenience. We invite you to learn more about how Northeast Collision can help you.
