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People who drive cars want to feel safe, hence the need for an insurance agency. There are various options for car insurance coverage, filled with services that can benefit one during difficult times. One might be impacted by a collision, which would damage a vehicle to the point where it needs intensive repairs. An insurance company might recommend an auto repair shop or a set of auto repair shops that they would prefer for one to use. While this could potentially turn out well, consumers need to know that they are not obligated to use the repair shops that insurance companies direct them toward.
Convenience
One reason that consumers feel inclined to use the repair shops recommended by insurance companies is that it feels more convenient. If the insurance company knows the repair shop well enough to recommend them, then one might think that this guarantees effectiveness. The connectivity between the insurers and the repair shops also provides a sense of security. If they all have a good working relationship, then that could make it seem as though everything would be in working order. And while that could end up being the case, the consumers are free to seek out repair shops not recommended by their insurance company.
Relationships Between Insurers and Shops
Some repair shops gain the majority of their business from insurance carriers. As such, there might be instances where the people fixing the vehicle worry more about how much they are costing the insurance company than about how well they are fixing the car. This could conflict with a consumer’s concerns. You want to make sure that you are getting the best repair services possible. Such services may not always lie with the shops preferred by the insurance company. The preferred ones might guarantee warranties, but that does not mean that other shops do not. It is all a matter of gathering information.
Finding the Right Shop
If you choose to seek out a repair shop not specified by the insurance company, then you should be prepared to do a bit of research. This should not be too difficult. You could simply ask around for recommendations, and people could provide you with how well certain auto shops have worked based on their firsthand experiences. With some shop names in mind, you can take it a step further by going online and looking up reviews. Taking into account the number of reviews and the ratings from each reviewer, you could discern whether or not the repair shop is reputable and does work of the highest quality. While you are at it, check to see whether the shop is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, and look up the shop via the Better Business Bureau‘s website. You would feel more secure knowing that the shop is a legitimate and effective business.
Your Choice
While using any of the repair shops recommended by an auto insurance company can be fine, it is not necessarily the only course of action to consider. Customers are free to go beyond the bubble and seek out other repair shops that might work best for you. One could do some research on the recommended shops and then compare them against what other shops have to offer and what their reputations among customers have been. It would take some time and effort, but it could yield satisfying results. You are capable of figuring out which direction is the best one for you and your vehicle.
