Important Tips For Choosing An Auto Body Shop For Your Classic Car After A Wreck

Although it is never a fun time to be involved in a car accident that is bad enough to need body work, it is often even worse if you happened to be behind the wheel of your classic car that was in its original, mint condition at the time. That is because finding a auto body expert who is experienced with the intricacies of classic cars is often more difficult than it is for newer cars. It can be similarly challenging to find the authentic replacement parts that you will need. As a result, it is a good idea to be aware of the information provided below when you are finding the right auto body shop for the unique needs of your classic car.

Ask For Examples Of Previous Work That Has Been Done On Other Classic Cars Recently

Even though you are undoubtedly aware that you should check the licensing and insurance status for any collision repair facility, you may be surprised to learn that professional or manufacturer's certifications are not required for facilities that work on classic or antique cars. In addition, repair certifications from vehicle manufacturers are not common.

In their absence, the next best thing is to be able to verify the work previously supplied to cars of a similar age to your own. Ideally, you may be allowed to view before and after photos of damaged cars and to verify references of previous satisfied customers. It will also be helpful to ask specific questions of those satisfied customers about those repaired cars and how long ago the repairs were completed in order to verify the other customer's overall experience with the facility.

Ask For An Estimate Of The Amount Of Time Before You Get The Vehicle Back

Given that in some areas experienced collision repair facilities are not very common, you may find that your options for the work you need done will often be quite limited. That means there will frequently be waiting periods for them to be able to make the necessary repairs.

If you run into that problem, it is a good idea to see if it will be possible to get a written estimate of how long you will not have your vehicle.

In conclusion, choosing an experienced and qualified collision repair facility is not always a simple matter when the car in question is a classic car that has been perfectly maintained over the years with authentic parts. As a result, you should be aware of the aforementioned advice in order to find the most appropriate collision expert for your needs.