Had an accident – now what?

Unfortunately accidents do happen. In the event of an accident never admit liability. It is imperative that you obtain accident details and ALL the contact details of any other parties involved for your insurer. Remember to insist on your vehicle to be repaired at the repairer of your choice.

Accident Detail Form

It’s imperative that you record all the details if an accident should occur. We suggest printing out our accident form and keeping it in your glove-box so it’s handy in the event of an accident.

Choosing the Right Body Shop

All body shops are not the same. That’s why choosing the right body shop is important. A reputable body shop employing trained, competent technicians, following recommended repair procedures, using the proper tools and equipment, and operating in an ethical manner can make a big difference not only in how your car is repaired, but equally important, how you’ll feel about driving your car afterwards.

The average person can’t tell if a shop has the proper tools and equipment or not. But there are a few things you should look for, and questions you can ask.

First, look at the shop’s work area. A relatively clean, organized shop is a sign of professionalism. Just because body work can sometimes be messy and dirty, doesn’t mean that the shop should look that way.

Next, look for plaques or certificates stating the shop is a current member of the national trade organizations such as auto body association. (TACC or VACC)

Ask what kind of training the shop technicians have had, or if they are certified or recognized by some entity. Some examples are listed below. You may also want to ask about the criteria for certification or what the training includes.

I-CAR Training: The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, more commonly known as I-CAR, is a not-for-profit international training organization dedicated to improving collision repair. The I-CAR vision is that every person in the collision industry, present and future, has the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to their position, to achieve a complete repair. Those shops achieving I-CAR’s highest level of training are designated as Gold Class.

Insurance Provider Assured or Recommended / Environmental Friendly Practices: Some Insurance Providers have shop certification or recognition programs. Each has their own criteria. Be sure to ask the shop if it participates in a certification or is recognised as a recommended repairer from your Insurance provider.  Ask if the shop has voluntary undergone external audits ensuring practises are as “green” friendly as possible.

Third-Party Certifications: There are some third-party organizations within the industry that have their own certification programs. Be sure to ask your shop about third-party programs and the program’s criteria.

You may also want to look for certificates of completed training from paint companies, refinish products suppliers or industry training centres.

Be sure you are comfortable with the body shop and are reasonably sure that it will provide a safe and proper repair for your vehicle. You will have to live with the results of its work for a long time.