If you need to get a repair estimate after a car accident, you’ll want to speak to your car insurance company, do some preliminary research on reputable body shops, and then call to make an appointment.

Good communication with your insurer is key, as some

car insurance

companies will only cover repairs that are completed by ‘preferred’ or ‘approved’ auto body shops.

If you’ve found yourself in need of car body repairs and are wondering how to get a repair estimate after a car accident, car insurance comparison shopping app

Jerry

has compiled everything you need to know to get started.

Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Contact your insurance company

Get in touch with your insurance company before you start shopping around for

repair estimates.

In some cases, the

insurance company may need to be involved

in choosing the repair shop. Some providers might even arrange the repairs for you.

If not, ask your insurer if they have guidelines and limitations in place about what type of repair shop you can choose. Some companies may require that certain types of parts are used during the repairs. Finally, clarify what documentation you’ll need to provide them with to help the claims process flow smoothly.

MORE:

What is towing and labor coverage? Do you need it?

Do your research

During the research phase, aim to get at least three written estimates. Be sure they include a breakdown of all the repairs and the costs of parts and labor.

Getting multiple quotes will help you find the most affordable estimate—but the price isn’t the only thing to think about. You also want to keep the quality and reliability of the service and the overall logistics in mind when narrowing down your picks.

Customer satisfaction ratings

Before you reach out to a shop, check out their reviews and certifications to get a better idea of the overall reputation of the business.

Use online reviews to help you narrow down your choices to shops known for reliable work and high-quality service. Sites like

Carwise

are a good place to start.

Some insurance companies will require repair shops to carry specific qualifications. You can use sites like

SRCS

to verify a shop’s qualifications online. You can also check the shop’s website to ensure that they hire ASE-certified mechanics trained to high-quality service standards.

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

Logistics

Don’t forget to keep practical logistics in mind when you shop for quotes. Some important questions to ask include:

What is the base price of repairs, including labor, in relation to the type of repair work to be done?

How long will it take to complete the job?

Can the shop work directly with your insurance company to settle the payment, or will you have to handle the payments yourself?

Does the shop offer a warranty or guarantee on their labor?

Key Takeaway Comparing multiple quotes will help you find a shop that offers high-quality and convenient service at an affordable price.

Get some estimates

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can start getting repair estimates. The car specialist will physically inspect your car and estimate the total cost of repairs.

Repair shops typically use reference manuals to determine how long the repairs will take and how much the parts and labor will cost.

You might be able to book an appointment for an estimate online through the shop’s website. If not, you can always just call them up. Most shops will conduct estimates for free, but you’ll want to be sure to put at least 30 minutes aside for the appointment.

Choose a shop

When making your final decision, don’t forget to factor in both cost and quality. Rather than making your choice based on price alone, opt for a repair business that has a well-established reputation for quality in addition to offering competitively priced services.

If you choose a cheap fix, you could end up paying more for repairs in the long run—especially if the shop doesn’t offer guarantees on their service.

Be sure to reach out to your insurance company to verify your choice before you commit. Once you get the go-ahead from the insurance company, you can call up the car service specialist you’ve chosen to book your repairs.

MORE:

Do I have to pay my deductible if I want to submit a claim?

Finding the best insurance for your car

If you recently filed a claim, it’s a good time to shop around for a new policy. Insurance rates often go up after an accident, and different providers might offer more competitive rates.

If you’d rather leave the hard work of gathering car insurance quotes to someone else, use

Jerry

. As a

licensed broker

, This free app can collect quotes from over 50 top insurance companies — including State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, and others — in seconds!

Once you make your pick, Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and canceling your old one. No long forms, no calling around, no hard work… just savings. The average Jerry user saves $879 a year on car insurance.

This Jerry user was thrilled with their experience, giving the app five stars:

"Jerry cut my insurance costs by almost half! I was currently paying $172/mo for my car insurance. Now I’m paying $96/mo. They set up my coverage with the new company and even sent a cancellation notice to my prior insurance company. The whole process was super easy and fast!" — Satisfied Jerry User

RECOMMENDED