If your vehicle is in need of some auto body work, you will want to make sure that you get it in for a repair appointment as soon as possible. This way, you can be back on the road with your vehicle without having to worry about current problems getting much worse over time. However, before dropping off your vehicle at any auto body shop, you will want to spend a little time going through the following suggestions of things you need to do first:
Find Out If You Have Help From The Insurance Company
It would be a good idea to confirm whether the damages to your vehicle are going to be covered by your policy. If they are, you will need to find an auto body shop that works with your particular insurance company. You will also need to talk with your insurance company about your deductible and then ask the auto body shop about the forms of payment they accept and when you need to have the deductible paid to them. Some auto body shops require that the money be paid before they will begin to work on your vehicle.
Empty Your Vehicle Of Its Contents
You want to make sure that you empty all of your personal belongings from the inside of your vehicle before dropping it off at the auto body shop. This is because the repair work might end up taking a little longer than originally quoted. This can happen when there is a delay in getting the appropriate parts for the year, make, and model of your vehicle. You never know when you might need something that was in the vehicle so it is best to keep it all at home with you.
Find A Tow Company
It is advisable to have your vehicle towed to the auto body shop, especially if the damages are a result of an accident on the road. If the auto body work that needs to be done is nothing more than the replacement of a hood or side panel because of rust, you don't have to worry about a tow. However, if the damages were caused because of a wreck that you had with another vehicle, there could be hidden structural damage that could make driving the vehicle unsafe. You will want to have it towed to the auto body repair shop to avoid the creation of additional damages.
Contact a local auto body shop to learn more.