If you have recently been in an accident or otherwise need to have body work done to your vehicle, you might be unsure of which body shop to hire. Most areas feature quite a few options, but you should know that not all body shops are created equally. Luckily, following these tips will help you find a good auto body repair shop to do the work on your vehicle. Ask Your Insurance Company Your insurance company deals with car accidents and other forms of vehicle damage on a daily basis. This means that the professionals who work for your insurance company know all of the best body shops around. Call and ask for a recommendation; not only will this help you ensure that you hire the right company, but it can also make things like paying for the repairs a lot easier and more streamlined. For example, if you choose a body shop that your insurance company works with directly, you probably won’t have to worry about paying up-front and being reimbursed by your insurance company later. Contact Your Dealership This won’t apply if you are having work done to your car due to an accident, but it can help in some situations. If the paint on your car is starting to fade or if there is another quality issue, you should take your car to the dealership first. Certain things might be covered by your warranty, which can save you a lot of money. The work might be done at your dealership by its in-house body shop, or the dealership or manufacturer might give you a recommendation about where to go. Even if you know that the work won’t be covered by your warranty, it can still be smart to ask someone from your dealership. Dealers typically have good working relationships with body repair shops in the area and can give you a recommendation about who does the best work and who charges the lowest prices. Read Online Reviews You can’t always trust online reviews, but you can use them as a handy tool to help you make the right decision. This is especially true when it comes to having body work done to your car. Many online review sites feature written reviews and photographs of the work that others have had done, which can help you choose a body shop that has a good reputation and that has done a good job on other people’s vehicles. Stop By Multiple Shops Don’t just go with the first body shop that you find. Instead, consider going to several shops to have estimates done on your vehicle. Along with finding the most reasonable price, you can also see examples of other work that the company has done and can ask questions about the processes and products that are used. Shopping around can help you find both the best deal and the best shop. Conclusion Finding the right body shop is important if you want your car to look its best after the work has been done. Plus, choosing a good body shop can save you money and can even affect your safety while you’re driving your vehicle. If you follow these tips, you should be able to find a good auto body repair shop that you can trust to do a good job.