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How to choose a body shop: eight questions to ask any shop, including us
You do not need to know cars to pick a good shop. You need answers to eight questions, in writing where it matters.
1. Can I have the estimate in writing before you start?
Good answer: yes, itemized, parts and labor, before any work. Every shop finds hidden damage sometimes; that is what a supplement is for, but the starting number belongs on paper.
2. Which parts go on my car: new OEM, recycled OEM or aftermarket?
Good answer: it depends on the repair level you choose, and here is each line. Undisclosed parts are the problem, not the type of part.
3. Are your technicians certified?
Good answer: yes, I-CAR, ASE and manufacturer certifications, and they will show you. See our certifications page.
4. Who do I talk to if something goes wrong?
Good answer: a name and a direct number. At Best Deal the owner looks at every estimate.
5. Do you work with my insurance company, and who handles the adjuster?
Good answer: yes, we bill them directly, we handle the adjuster and we submit supplements for you. We are a preferred repair partner of the insurers on our Insurance Partners page.
6. What is the warranty, and can I have it in writing?
Good answer: here it is, here is what it covers and for how long. Ours is 1 year, 3 years or lifetime depending on the repair option, shown on every estimate.
7. How long will it take, and what if parts are late?
Good answer: an expected date, updates as it moves, and a loaner plan if it will be a while.
8. Can I see the car during the repair?
Good answer: of course, call ahead. Photos at teardown are standard at a good shop.
Your rights in Arizona
- You choose the shopIn Arizona the insurer can recommend a repair facility; it cannot require one or refuse to pay a covered claim because you went elsewhere.
- You're owed a proper repairThe policy pays to restore the car to pre-loss condition. Which parts and procedures that means is decided by the repair plan and the estimate, not by which shop is cheaper for the insurer.
- You can see the numbersAsk any shop for the itemized estimate and the supplement. Ask the insurer for the adjuster's estimate. They should match the car, not each other.
- Your deductible is the same anywhereGoing to a non-network shop does not raise your deductible. What changes is who advocates for you when the first number is low.
Best Deal is an owner-run shop and a preferred repair partner of the insurers on our Insurance Partners page. You still choose where your car goes, and we repair it the same way either way.
Visit the shop
5511 N 51st Ave, Suites 108 & 109
Glendale, AZ 85301
Open every day, 7 AM – 6 PM
Get directionsCommon questions
Should I get three estimates?
You can get several from your phone in an afternoon. Compare the parts list and the warranty, not just the total.
Are lots of 5-star reviews enough?
They show volume. Read the recent lower reviews too; they show what happens when something goes wrong.
What if I already left the car at another shop?
You can usually still move it at no cost if work has not started. Call us first and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth it.
Does Best Deal pass its own test?
That is for you to decide. Send photos, get the written estimate and judge the answers.
Choosing a shop: the rest of the story
Read next
Send a few photos. We'll take it from there.
Upload pictures of the damage for a preliminary price range, or call and talk to someone at the shop.
Visit the shop
5511 N 51st Ave, Suites 108 & 109
Glendale, AZ 85301
Open every day, 7 AM – 6 PM
Get directions