You can imagine the process of getting your vehicle repaired as a series of different decisions to make along a path. Rather than being overwhelmed by responsibility, we recommend that you look at this as chance to be proactive and take control of the situation. Having an overview of the whole process can help make the aftermath of a collision feel less daunting, and more manageable.

The first choice you’ll be faced with is choosing a tow truck. You don’t have to just use whatever towing service shows up. It’s better to do business with somebody you trust.

Choosing a repair facility is the next step. In fact, it’s your right to do so, and there are specific things you should look out for when making this choice. You or your insurance provider may have somewhere in mind already, but if you don’t know, the resources on this website should help.

You’ll also probably still want to be able to drive around while your vehicle is in the shop, and that often means choosing a rental car. Sometimes your options are limited, but you don’t just have to take whatever they decide to give you. Different people have different needs, and you can absolutely advocate for your own needs when renting a car.

Then, the time will come to pick up your car after it has been repaired. If you’ve taken it to a good shop, you should have nothing to worry about, but take the opportunity to talk to the people who’ve fixed your car, do an inspection with them, and let them know if anything just doesn’t seem right.

Finally, there is a lot of industry-specific jargon and terminology in the collision repair world, you may not be familiar with everything. Keep our Glossary of Repair Terms handy if you ever feel lost.