Start your search on the internet. Find out if the shop belongs to any business organizations or is an active member of the community. Those shop owners who are involved in the community care more about their reputation so they will work hard for you. Make sure the auto body shop is a member in good standing with your state’s Motor Vehicle Collision Repair Board Find out if the shop offers a warranty for their work. Quality shops will offer long term warranty’s on their work. Make sure your auto body shop uses only NEW PARTS AND EQUIPMENT PURCHASED FROM THE AUTOMOBLILE MANUFACTURER. If a shop uses after market , junked or scrapped parts they cannot warranty their work or guarantee your safety when driving down the highway at 50 or more miles per hour. Don’t risk your life driving a car with junked parts installed. Ask if the shop is registered as a Direct Repair Program shop for the insurance companies. If they are you may want to find another shop that works for YOU instead of the insurance company. Tour the shop to make sure it is clean and that all the bays are operational. Ask to see examples of their body work and to provide references if they are not registered with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Ask friends and co-workers which auto body repair shop they have had good experiences with. A quality auto body repair shop will gain many of their customers through word of mouth. DO NOT ASK YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO RECOMMEND AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP. Insurance companies want you to use their auto body repair shops so they can save money. INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE SHOPS THEY RECOMMEND DO NOT WORK FOR THE INSURED. Compare prices and be wary of shops who charge significantly less than other shops. If an auto body repair shop is using only new parts and equipment purchased from the manufacturer their prices will be approximately the same. Any shop whose pricing is significantly lower has to be cutting corners on the repair in order to make money. Ask the shop if they can help you with insurance claims in the event that you need one. A quality shop will have people on staff to help you navigate the insurance claims process.