Getting into a motor vehicle accident can be a real headache, especially when driving a commercial truck.
In addition to insurance rates potentially going up, you also have to deal with the cost of repairs to your truck. To get a good deal on collision repair, you need to know the right questions to ask your mechanic.
Let’s look at five questions that you need to ask your repair company in order to save money.
1. Can I get a free estimate for the cost of collision repair?
A common mistake the people make when getting repairs done on the vehicle is failing to ask about the costs upfront.
While many shops will give a free quote for repairs, not all do. While others will waive the cost of the quote if you choose to have repairs done with them, that doesn’t help if you’re trying to comparison shop.
If you plan on getting estimates from 2 or more mechanics, make sure to find out what the shop’s policy is on charging for repair estimates.
2. What is your hourly rate for labor?
Whenever you pay for repairs, the costs are typically broken down into two categories: parts and labor.
In most cases, labor ends up being the most expensive part of the repair. For this reason, it’s a good idea to learn up front what the hourly rate for labor is.
If you choose a shop with a high hourly labor rate, your costs could vary greatly from the estimate. For instance, if the mechanics encounter a problem that makes the job take longer, you’ll pay for those extra hours.
Additionally, don’t forget that you can sometimes save money on collision repair by shopping around for cheaper parts. You’ll have to check with the shop to make sure they will work with parts that you provide.
3. Are your mechanics certified?
When you pay someone to work on your truck, it is important that they have the proper training and experience to do a professional job.
For this reason, most states require auto mechanics to hold a professional license or certification.
Even so, it’s a good idea to directly ask the shop if their mechanics and technicians are certified. If the shop cannot show you proof of certification, you’re probably better off getting your repairs done somewhere else.
4. Do you belong to any associations?
In addition to hiring mechanics with professional certifications, most reputable auto repair shops belong to one or more professional associations.
When a shop belongs to an organization like AAA or NAPA Autocare, that means it is held to certain standards and regulations.
Additionally, if you belong to the same organization, you might be able to get a discount with the shop.
5. Can I get a warranty?
Most people know that they can get a warranty on their vehicle, or for certain parts. What they may not know, however, is that they can also get a warranty on repairs.
There’s nothing more frustrating than spending money on an expensive repair, only to experience problems with the repair a few months later.
If you are able to get a warranty, you could be protected in this situation.
Now, you’re ready to handle collision repair without any issues! Don’t hesitate to contact us with any other questions.
