10 Tips for Choosing the Collision Repair Shop​

Discover 10 essential tips for choosing the best collision repair shop, from trusted recommendations to certifications and estimates. Ensure your car gets top-quality care!

Picture the following: After a crazy party, happy, upbeat, and a little buzzed, you are heading to your car and find it with a ding on the right front door. You are trying to figure out what the hell is going on when a Chevrolet Camaro with high speed rear-ends your car, leaving you with a smashed back bumper, a taillight and backup light, a cracked rear window, and a fender with gouges and dents.

Man, you had an amazing night until that idiot rear-ended your car and totally burst your bubble. Now you gotta figure out what collision repair is, where to find an auto repair body shop, so you need to do some body shop hunting. 

We give you 10 working steps to help make your rounds work in your favor and not waste your precious time and resources.

🏁 1. Start with Trusted Recommendations

collision repair shop

In today’s digital world, with the integration of AI tools, everything may seem accessible, widely available, easy, and smooth. All these innovations and revolutions are invariably great, but they work partially when it comes to cars, as they are still old-school at heart. Trust me, no app in the world can replace a good mechanic with dirty hands and years of experience. That's just how it is, no matter how "digital" everything else gets. That is why, let’s combine traditional and digital sources to get the best.

🗣️ How to Gather Word-of-Mouth Suggestions

When searching for the best collision center and auto body shop, you can watch countless videos, browse photos, or appeal with slick marketing campaigns, but nothing beats seeing a well-repaired car belonging to your best friend, cousin, or neighbor.

Don’t waste a single minute; get in touch with your close friends or family members, visit your next-door neighbor, and chat with people in the grocery or supermarket. Wherever it is possible, strike up a conversation about the best car repair service they have experienced. A satisfied customer is the most reliable reference. Don’t let flashy ads fool you.

The Role of Online Reviews in Decision-Making 

With all these conversations, you are not completely safe from biased opinions; their abundance can get on your nerves. The question of what to consider when choosing a collision repair shop still exists.​ You need additional proof to make an informed decision. Rely on your own research, getting as much information as possible about the body shops you have been referred to. Browse their websites and closely read their reviews and ratings. Use digital advancements to make solid grounds for your decision. 

Trustworthy word-of-mouth combined with good reviews and rates on digital platforms may become the final trigger to focus on the auto body shop.

📍2. Check the Shop’s Location 

Location matters—trust me. Even if you have heard great things about a body shop far from your house, don’t rush to spend extra money to ship your car there. Take some time to look around—I’m pretty sure you have a good one nearby who is humble enough to brag about their work but still does a decent job. Use all possible tools: maps, search engines, and other browsers to find one in your neighborhood. And while you're at it, why not check Regal Repair locations? You might just find the perfect match closer than you think. Learn more about our locations in the contact us page.

3. Get Estimates and Compare Them

Don’t believe mouth-to-mouth recommendations and reviews are enough to get the best collision repair center. There are more steps ahead. As a customer, take advantage of requiring free estimates. Don’t get lazy; your car is really worth your efforts. Ask for estimates from various auto body shops without underestimating the need for comparison. It will allow you to assess your opportunities, align them with your preferences and needs, and why not get benefits in the form of bonuses, prices, etc. Valuable and accurate information is the key to confidence about the things that concern you. 

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4. Verify Certifications and Industry Expertise 

What Certifications Should You Look For?

Don’t go shy: it’s all about your car. Every detail matters, especially certifications. 

Ask for certifications and clarify whether they have OEM certification (Original equipment manufacturer); otherwise, your car is at risk of improper repairs. 

What certifications are important to ask about? To have peace of mind about your car repair, always look for auto-body shops with I-CAR, ASE, and CRF certificates. For example, Regal Repair is among the auto repair shops that have all these certifications. Also, check if they get any membership of associations to stay up-to-date on and follow repair trends. There are other certificates to inquire about; however, they are a good starting point. Just like a good hospital ensures well-being for your body, a good auto body shop ensures your car’s longevity. If you wouldn’t choose a non-certified doctor, why ask less when it comes to your car? Learn more about our certifications below.

certified auto body shop

With Our Specialized Skills, Regal Repair Makes Differences

Regal Repair is the art of solving a problem for a customer with services and solutions that anticipate their needs, thus shaping the future of customer satisfaction and progress. With Regal Repair, you are safe. Our trained professionals will navigate all repair processes, whether heavy or light and pass your car in a factory-new condition. We offer you the entire collision repair process with assistance in insurance, towing, and rental vehicle arrangements. 

We also care about the environment and our customers’ health, offering eco-friendly equipment and materials. 

As your trusted partner in car repair, we ensure top-notch services. No doubt, our commitment to excellence won’t leave you untouched!

5. Inspect the Shop’s Equipment and Tools

Do you have any wild guesses about what comes next? Surely, equipment and tools. It is important to inspect the equipment and tools the body shop uses before handing over your car. Every car, depending on model, make, and year, requires a special approach and care. It applies to equipment and tools as well; that is why you need to clarify these details right from the start to avoid putting your car at risk. You can’t trust your car arbitrarily, even if you are very tight on time.

A professional technician repairing a Tesla dent with advanced tools at Regal Repair

6. Confirm Insurance Partnerships and Policies

The next important step to consider is the insurance policy and partnership of the collision repair center you want to pick. Typically, your insurance company will lead you to certain auto body shops, but do remember, you are free to select other auto body shops that aren’t on their list. Just check the insurance policies of the collision center. For example, Regal Repair collaborates with all insurance companies directly with no special agreement with any of them. For your peace and your car safety, make all clarifications in advance.    

7. Review Online Portfolios or Case Studies 

Storytelling or impactful visuals always communicate effectively. Every auto body shop puts effort into showcasing the comprehensive and impressive portfolios they have on their websites to grab your attention and emphasize their services. When checking their websites, pay special attention to their case studies and portfolios. However, remember not everything that glitters is gold. For a truly transparent showcase of quality work, visit Regal Repair's Before & After Gallery page to see the real transformations we've achieved.

Tesla Model 3 Collision Repair Before and After

🤔 8. Ask Questions Before Deciding

Questions are the key step to address all your concerns, so do not go in blind—be smart. Make a list of inquiries with all necessary questions and concerns that cover from the highest priority to general topics, including insurance, services, deadlines, and materials. Each smartly crafted question contains useful information and speaks about the service you can expect.

9. Inspect the Shop’s Cleanliness and Organization

At first sight, you might have doubts about this step, but trust me, it’s a genuine concern that matters. Would you eat at a restaurant with a dirty kitchen or a chef with unwashed hands? Almost the same works here; if the environment is disorganized and messy, there are no guarantees of your car being well and accurately fixed.

10. Combine Information and Make an Informed Decision 

Man, you are so close to making your final decision—just one more step! By combining valuable information you got, you can make a decision with confidence. I am sure after all your comparisons, your informed decision will lead you to Regal Repair, the most trusted and reliable collision repair center.

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Conclusion

Congratulations, amigo! Word-of-mouth or long-stumbling online led you to Regal Repair collision repair center and auto body shop. Be sure you don't need to think any longer; you are right at the last destination in your journey of repair shops. With Regal Repair, you will get the necessary information and comprehensive answers to all your worries and concerns. This is Regal Repair, the last stop on this line. 

Don’t be jealous; share this valuable information with your friends, loved ones, and even unfamiliar people—Regal Repair is there waiting for everyone!

FAQ

❓What should I look for in a collision repair shop?

✅ This question closely relates to another important question: what to do after a car accident. Therefore, in a collision repair shop, you should look for excellent work, trained technicians, certificates, and car repair up-to-date methods. Don’t forget about the insurance policy. It means you need to find a trusted collision repair center to have your car fixed. When it comes to car repair, everything matters.

❓Why should I choose Regal Repair for my collision repair needs?

✅ By choosing Regal Repair, you will gain access to the best practices that enhance your experience and protect you from being misled. In turn, you need a trusted collision repair partner with excellent service that delights. Regal Repair offers you the entire collision repair process, including assistance in insurance, towing, and rental vehicle arrangements. Your needs are our top priority, while your satisfaction is our trophy.  

❓Is Regal Repair certified by major car manufacturers or industry organizations?

✅ Regal Repair is a chain of auto body shops that offers high-end repair services in 19 spots and is certified by almost all major car manufacturers, such as I-CAR, FCA, Ford, Kia, Infinity, GM, Hyundai, Alfa Romeo, Nissan, BMW, and Mini. 

❓Does Regal Repair work with my insurance company?

✅ Typically, Regal Repair collaborates with all insurance companies without a special agreement. We care about our customers’ needs and satisfaction, so we see no other way to meet your expectations than to offer you comfort and utmost care.

❓What should I do if I notice an issue after the repairs are completed?

✅ Regal Repair proudly stands behind the quality of its workmanship and materials. While choosing Regal Repair, it is unlikely to notice an issue after repairs are completed. However, if that rare case has happened, we provide a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty that leaves you satisfied with all issues ahead. 

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Collision Repair Coupons

Save even more at Regal Repair for all your collision repair needs. Take advantage of our special collision repair coupons and deals to get your vehicle back in shape without overspending. Whether it's a minor dent or major damage, our offers provide affordable, high-quality repair solutions. Don't miss out on these limited-time discounts – explore our deals today and ensure your car receives the best care at the best price! Please mention the website coupon at the time of the vehicle estimate.
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Multiple Collision Repair centers, conveniently located Near You.

Your trusted auto body shop and collision center, proudly serving you from our locations in North Hollywood, and Venice Los Angeles, CA. For added convenience, we offer post-accident vehicle pickup and towing, along with doorstep delivery after repairs are completeEnsuring your vehicle's best care is always within reach. Let us take care of your collision repair needs, insurance negotiations, car rentals, and put your mind at ease. Get a free estimate today! Call us, schedule an appointment online or stop by during business hours.
N. Hollywood, CA
Regal Repair - North Hollywood is conveniently located on Cahuenga Blvd. in NoHo near Toluca Lake. The nearest cross street is Chandler St.

Regal Repair - NoHo

Address: 5430 Cahuenga Blvd., N. Hollywood, CA 91601
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (by appointment)
Sunday: Closed
Services offered: Complete Collision Repair Facility, Auto Body Repair and Paint, Mechanical Services, Wheel Alignment and Tires.
24/7 Emergency Service Available
Los Angeles, CA
Regal Repair - Burbank is conveniently located on S. Victory Blvd. in Burbank, CA off I-5 at South. The nearest cross street is W. Alameda Avenue.

Regal Repair - LA

Address: 5252 W. 111th St., Los Angeles CA, 90045
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (by appointment)
Sunday: Closed
Services offered: Collision Repair Center
24/7 Emergency Service Available
Venice, CA
Regal Repair - Venice is conveniently located on Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, CA, Near Santa Monica, CA. The nearest cross street is Venice Blvd.

Regal Repair - Venice

Address: 2101 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (by appointment)
Sunday: Closed
Services offered: Collision Repair Facility, Auto Body Repair and Paint, Mechanical Services.
24/7 Emergency Service Available