Need Good Honest Car Repair Shop

Updated on March 04, 2008
K.G. asks from Mansfield, TX
24 answers

Hi all - I was rear-ended on Cooper Street yesterday by a 20 y.o. girl. Thank goodness I was in the SUV as she hit me pretty hard. It looked like she might have totaled her small car. Anyway, she called later and said she did not want to go through her insurance company just yet but wanted me to get an estimate. I do understand what she is doing since she was afraid of her rates going up. Guess I have 2 questions...has anyone used any local (S.Arl./Mansfield) car body shops for any type of repairs which you were very pleased with? Also, if the girl decides to pay out-of-pocket for the damage, is there any reason she needs my insurance information? Just wondered about because when my son just got his driver's license he rear ended a small truck on wet pavement and of course, we decided to pay out-of-pocket; the man he hit would not give us his insurance because he said there was no need for it since it was not being turned into the insurance company. And I guess we never did need it. The girl's father is insisting he have it even if he is not going through his insurance. I am always so leary about giving out personal information, am I being too paranoid? Thank you for any information anyone might have.

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So What Happened?

Thanks to all who gave me advice. I did not give them my insurance info. but instead called her insurance company directly. The young girl finally reported the accident to her insurance company to whom I spoke with today. The insurance company accepted liability and I plan on going to a couple of the repair shops you recommended. Thanks again for all the encouragement and helpful hints you provided. Happy motoring!

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D.R.

answers from Dallas on

There is a good, inexpensive repair shop in Maypearl on FM 66, acutally Main street. it is Ken's paint and body th #is ###-###-####. We have used him several times. My only complaint his he is slow, but the job is done right.

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R.S.

answers from Dallas on

I highly recommend that you get her insurance information and file it--that's why we have insurance and that's why it's required. Do not give them your information until you get theirs--I get the feeling that they are going to try to fild under your insurance. Who knows what she told dad once she got home.

Good luck.

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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

I was in your same situation about a year ago, but it was an actual insurance agent that hit the back of me and I was pregnant at the time. There was very little damage done to my car but he didnt want to file. He offered to pay but never did and after getting some much needed advice from a good friend(attorney) he told me to NEVER, EVER do that again. Just a word of advice let the insurance companies battle it out, that's why we pay for it anyway. Hope I was able to help and have a great day!

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

Ok if the Girl's Father is insiting on having your insurance information - then you too should insist on having their insurance information as well. If they opt to pay out of pocket - Great - otherwise - you might get stiffed in the end. You are not being too paranoid. You need to take care of yourself and your possessions.

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M.R.

answers from Dallas on

Acme Auto on Mansfield Hwy off of 20. Very reputable,honest and works effeciently. ###-###-####.

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

I do not know one specifically, but I must tell you, I was rear ended a few months ago. I was in an suv and the other car was a sedan. My vehicle was only 7 months old! I was able to take it to my body shop that I bought my car from. They took care of everything. That may be an option. But as far as your insurance goes, you DO NOT need to give them your information. But you need to be careful that they do not try to blame you for the accident. I don't know what rights they have in whether or not they can choose to use their insurance, but just make sure they at least give it to you in case you get burned. I was lucky to have dealt with such honest people, but I was involved in another accident before that the other people were not so much. It's just nice to know what your options are.

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D.E.

answers from Dallas on

I've worked as a Legal Assistant in Personal Injury...mainly car accidents for 10 years. There is no reason they would need your insurance information, however, since they are insisting, I would in turn insist to have hers as well. Technically, if she is at fault her insurance should cover it. Go ahead and get some estimates, you could try Caliber or your dealership...dealership estimates will be higher. Look for a shop that advertises that they guarantee all repairs that they do. Also she is not a minor, so you can tell her father he really has nothing to do with the accident his of-age daughter had, and you are only going to deal with her if he is being difficult. Unfortunately, there are a lot of uninsured drivers out there, and she very well could be one and that is the reason she does not want to give you her insurance info. Generally, insurance companies will not raise premiums from one incident. But young drivers tend to have more accidents so this may not be the first to be reported to her insurance. Also, its not the property damage portion of the claim that prompts the insurace to raise premiums, it the hit they take from the bodily injury claim resulting from the accident.

I would go ahead and get an estimate or two, and let them know the amount...they may sing a different tune when they here how much "out-of-pocket" they will be. And insist that if they aren't going to give you their information, then you are not going to give them yours. Or if they want yours, to give you theirs.

Also, my experience, personal and professional, people that start out with the attitude they will pay out-of-pocket, and refusing insurance info may at first seem like everything will work out fine. You may soon find them difficult to reach- if at all, to recover any repair costs. I hope you have their address, or the plate number to the car. You can look on publicdata.com for more information on her with that, it cost per lookup, or you may have access at work. If you end up in this instance, you can fill out an affidavit from the Arlington Police Dept website, reporting an accident with a driver with no insurance. They will investigate and issue a ticket to her. If you have full coverage, you can pay your deductible to get your car repaired, and your insurance will subrogate to get repaid from her. They will require her to forward her insurance coverage to repay them, or pay out in a payment plan for your repairs. Hope this helps.

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J.E.

answers from Dallas on

K.,
I'm sorry, but I can't help you with your question... we live in the S Arlington/Mansfield area, too, but I (luckily) haven't had to use a body shop since moving here a few years ago. I was curious as to how you got into Medical Transcriptioning. I've heard ads for doing it at home, but I've always been skeptical. What's the pay like, if you don't mind me asking. Also, is the company you work for pretty reputable? If so, could you give me their name? My husband and I are both teachers (and I coach), and we have twins who will turn two in May. We have thought about doing something like that over the summers or evenings when we have downtime from the kiddos. Thanks for your help, and good luck finding a body shop! :)
J.

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B.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hey there K. G., I can't give a repair shop recommendation. But, I can tell you that I feel that you are making a BIG mistake by not filing this accident with the girl's insurance company. I was rearended once, pretty hard, and it wasn't until two days later that I was in excrutiating pain!! The reason that we are required to carry insurance is auto repair as well as bodily injury that we might cause in an accident.
However, should you choose not to file on her insurance, you DO NOT have to give them your insurance information.
Good Luck!
B. R.

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D.S.

answers from Dallas on

Try Maaco, they do a good job for external. I think you are doing what is best as far as not giving out your information to the dad. You are doing them a favor by not contacting their ins company. I would also re-think not contacting the ins co, you never know if you are going to need medical attention. You need to make sure that they are aware of ALL charges that will be included.rental car...(not a small car you need a car the same size as your vehicle), mileage on the car, etc.

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L.B.

answers from Dallas on

If the girl who hit you is paying out of pocket and SHE HIT YOU, then there is no need to give out your insurance info. If you did the same for your son and did not insurance info then neither do they. I don't know of any shops in Arlington but there is a center in Cedar Hill called Straight Line Collision on HWY 67 that is a good body shop.

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J.G.

answers from Dallas on

I would say, he does not need the info and that if he insists, I would get all their info and file with my insurance and let them deal with the outcome.MAy be safer for you anyway, if you happen to have any medical that comes out of this down the road

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A.W.

answers from Dallas on

She hit you and has no right to your info. I can tell you DO NOT take it to Caliber Collision on West Division. My dad took his truck there after being hit from behind they had it for over a month and could never fix it he had to get a new one. I took my car to the Caliber Collision on the West side of Ft. Worth and they called me a week after I got my car back to tell me I needed to come back because they forgot to put all the parts back on. I don't know if there is a Service King in Arlington but I would go there. Good Luck

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B.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hello my name is B. and my brother in law works for a shop there in mansfield and hes very good he done my car i totaled and when he was done it looked like new plz give him a call mario garza ###-###-#### good luck B.

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L.F.

answers from Dallas on

Do you live in Arlington? I found a piece of yellow paper in my yard about an accident with handwritten information that happened on 2/26 on S. Cooper. I live in South Arlington off of Bear Run. If this paper is yours, please let me know if you need it.

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

K., My personal opinion is to file, file, file. I would not give them a choice. It sounds like there was alot of damage and what if it's not fixed to your liking. What if there's more to fix than first thought. Are they going to keep paying for a rental even if it takes longer than planned? I was his by a guy backing out of a parking lot several months back. We exchanged info. and called the police. I made sure I was doing everything by the books. He called me about a hour later asking me not to file. The damage was not much, just a bumber, but I said that I was going to go ahead and file for my sake. I'm just a worry wart thinking what ifs... I'm glad I did file just in case something did go wrong. I really did not want to pay for anything out of pocket if it did.
I took my truck to Don Davis body shop in Arlington. They did a great job, and fixed it quickly. Interprise rental picked my kids and I up and got us set with a car. I was very happy with the service.
Good luck,
S.

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

As for the insurance info, call your agent and ask him what to do. They shouldn't need your info. As for setteling it out of pocket, I wouldn't do it. I've seen too many Judge Judy's to know that never works. What about a rental car you might need when it's in the shop? What if something later comes up with neck or back problems? Anyway...talk to your agent. You did nothing wrong and should made whole. As for a body shop - Auto Tech Services is the BEST! Great honest guys at a fair price. Rick Gardner is the owner ###-###-####. Most insurance copanies use his services. They are at 1856 Lone Star Rd, Mansfield, TX 76063. Hey knows who I am, so tell him I sent you and tell him what these people are trying to do. He should have some great advice, I'm sure he's seen it all.

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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

Oh my goodness! I would never ever give out that insurance information. It gives them knowledge about you that they don't need. I think you are being a wise woman to guard your privacy in the matter. If she is willing to pay out of pocket, I would be the one who would still require her to give me her information as she is the one that is liable for all damage and you want to make sure you get your car fixed back to it's original condition. Blessings and best of luck to you!

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I would get her insurance info. and talk to her broker. Then once you have all the contact info. you can work with her if she wants to pay out of pocket instead of filing. If it isn't actually filed, then it shouldn't count against her even if the ins. co. knows about it. There is no reason they need your insurance info. In fact if you report it to your insurance co. your rates may go up. If you don't feel comfortable with the arrangement for out of pocket payment, don't hesitate to file. That is what insurance is for.

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I just recently used Auto Tech Services out of Mansfield. This company has fixed several of my friends and family's cars over the past few years and I would highly recomend them. They are Christian owned and opperated and very plesent to deal with. They were great about helping me get my car back as soon as possible, they met me after hours one night to let me pick it up. I don't know about them needing your ins info, The girl that hit me did use her ins and it was all traded at the accident, I have a small child that was with me and she called to have the fire dept come check him out so of course we got the police too. That is something that the guys at Auto Tech might be able to awnser. Their phone number is ###-###-####. I hope this helps you.

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Good Morning K.,
My name is J. I got in a car accident in November. An Hispanic lady hit me with no drivers license. She said to me please don't call the police I will pay you off my pocket. She had kids in the car and no documentation to be in the United States. I felt sorry for her! Happen to be that there was a police officer across the street who seen exactly what happen. He did not take care because I did not let him I said it was an accident and that she will pay. After I saved her from trouble, I contact her to see what we where going to do and she said to me it was your fault I'm getting a lawyer. I had no choice than to claim it on my insurance good thing I had a police report and her information.
When it comes to an accident don't feel sorry. You will end up being screwed. Let your Insurance Company take care of everything!!!!

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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

If this lady is not giving you her information from her insurance company and she is the one who hit you then i would definatley not give your insurance information. Her father may try to call your insurance company and make up some story trying to make it your fault. I think that you should get her insurance info and deal with it the correct way. How do you know that they are going to pay out of pocket in full? You can not trust everyone. (Does she even have insurance?)

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R.L.

answers from Dallas on

ok, first off i firmly believe you ALWAYS trade insurance. what can they do with your insurance info that could hurt you? and you should have her's incase they decide not to pay. but trust your instinks! if it makes you uncomfortable, don't do it! what if she told him it was you fault!

second. this guy is in fort worth, but he is GREAT!! very good work. fast. cheap. he doesn't give you stuff you don't need or anything like that. we send everyone to him and no one has ever come back complaining! call jerome at ###-###-####. i think that is his cell, but it might be the shop number.

good luck!

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D.H.

answers from Dallas on

I think if you want your car fixed right and you don't know a good body shop (I don't either)- go to the dealership. And I really cant see what the girls father can get out of having you ins info- they wont help him or give out private information but he already has your name and address--personally I wouldn't make and issue of it, He probably just wants to make sure you have ins so that way he could tell you to claim the accident and he pay the deductible. Did you make a police report? But you always have the right to chose if you want to make a claim on hers or your ins- your choice its law, you could always take it to small claims it they fail to pay in a timely manner.

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