If you have been involved in a car accident where body damage has occurred, chances are you want to get your vehicle repaired so that it looks as good as new. In order to find an auto body shop that best suits your needs, you want to find one that will restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition and get it done right the first time. Below are a few of the most common types of body shops, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Independent Body Shops

These auto body shops operate independently of major dealerships or chain body shops and are the most common. However, the quality of body work you receive may vary. You may also want to compare estimates from a few different shops. If you opt for this type of body shop, there are a few things to look for. One is ASE and I-Car certification (National Institute for Automotive Repair Excellence and Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair). Certification from either of these organizations, often seen in the form of plaques on the wall, typically indicates a body shop’s level of expertise and reliability. Also, does the shop area look clean? Are the techs busy? Does the machinery look up-to-date? Whether dealing with minor dent repairs or a smashed front end, a competent body shop will be equipped to handle all types of car accident repairs. Ask friends, relatives, and co-workers for recommendations if necessary.

Mobile Dent Repair

Paintless dent removal and repair is a non-intrusive way of repairing car dents without having to respray the car’s surface. Specialized tools are used to reach behind panels and manipulate the damaged section back to its original form. Mobile paintless dent repair and dent removal companies are usually the fastest, most reliable and cost-effective way to remove door dings, minor dents, and creases from your vehicle without damaging the factory paint finish.

As with body shops, most mobile dent repair companies should provide you with a written estimate. The cost of paintless dent removal is often much lower compared to traditional auto body repair shops. Repairs often take one day so you’re not without your vehicle for a long time. Also, since there is no painting or sanding involved, the structural integrity of your vehicle’s body panels is not compromised. However, paintless dent repair and removal companies do not fix paint chips or scratches since painting is required. Since only metal can be fixed this way, plastic auto parts such as the bumper cannot be repaired using paintless dent repair and dent removal. This can be frustrating since the bumper is often the area damaged in car accidents. If you do opt for this method as opposed to an independent body shop, ask to see a company’s license with the Better Business Bureau. A reputable company will often have the license number written on their vehicle.

Dealership Body Shops

Dealership body shops are also a good option when deciding where to take your vehicle for body repair. Although collision repair is usually not covered under warranty, repairs on newer vehicles may be covered under warranty repair guidelines. Dealership body shops are required to be ASE and I-CAR certified, and usually only employ highly dependable technicians who are held to high standards since their work reflects on the dealership. Unfortunately, the high volume of repairs a dealership body shop sees everyday can sometimes compromise the quality of their work. This often occurs since auto body repair techs are on a tight schedule to repair your vehicle in your insurance company’s allotted time frame. This can be very frustrating to the auto owner, especially if the repairs are minor.

On the bright side, dealership body shops are also more likely to have the auto parts for your vehicle’s make and model in stock, which lessens repair times since the auto parts don’t have to be special ordered. Also, many dealerships have contracts with car rental agencies to provide you with reliable transportation until your vehicle is repaired. So if you are involved in a car accident that is not a total loss, consider your options before choosing a body shop to repair your vehicle.