Baton Rouge Collision Repair: Why Does It Take So Long to Get My Car Back from the Body Shop?

Editor's note: This post was originally published on July 25, 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance.

After an accident, there are many steps you have to take before your life gets back to normal. Unfortunately, the slowest step in that process is getting your car repaired. The amount of time it takes to get your car back depends on many factors, though the shop itself normally takes the brunt of the blame. So when asking the question, “why does it take so long to get my car back from the body shop” please try to keep in mind that we at Medines want you back on the road, in your own car, as much as you do.

The very first problem that some shops run into is getting the insurance company to assess the damage to the vehicle. This is especially true of shops that don’t have agreements with the insurance companies, known as “direct repair” collision shops. These agreements between shop and insurance company may appear to make things easier for you, the driver, but in reality, they serve the insurance company and no one else. In order to become a direct repair shop, the shop will agree to use aftermarket parts to repair your vehicle as opposed original manufacturer parts. This is cheaper for the insurance company, and dangerous for you in the long run. So, while your insurance company may tell you things would move faster with the shop they choose, you are in better hands with a shop that works for you instead of them.

The next hindrance also stems from the insurance company. After we work with you to prepare an estimate, they have to sign off on approval for what they will pay for. The truth is, they are required to take care of you, and either pay to have your vehicle restored to its pre-accident condition, or compensate you financially for it. But that doesn’t stop them from making counter offers and claiming certain repairs aren’t needed. Sometimes because they don’t know better, and other times to expedite the process, the vehicle owner will bend to the insurance company’s demands. We recommend against this for two reasons. First, they are required by law to pay for repairs or compensate you. Second, if you allow them to cut corners, it saves them money and puts you in a vehicle with substandard repairs.

The third possibility for why your car is taking more time than you’d like to be repaired is the extent of the damage and the parts. Obviously, not all accidents require the same amount of repair. So, it goes without saying that the time it will take to make the repairs depends on what repairs need to be made. When it comes to the parts, and this isn’t always the case, but sometimes with older or rarer vehicles, acquiring original manufacturer parts takes a little longer. This is simply a case of wanting it done right as opposed to wanting it done fast. Also, there are times where further damage is discovered and more parts are needed. This takes us right back to needing the insurance company to sign off on the added parts before proceeding.

Another possible reason your vehicle is taking longer than you’d like is the paint job. The last step in the process before your car comes back to you is getting it painted. If your car has a specialized paint job, this can slow the process a bit and once you’re this far into the process, the slightest delay can feel like an eternity.

The good news is that at Medines we work to keep open lines of communication with our customers. We provide an estimated time up front and updates as needed. But more importantly, we are available to answer questions when the timeline is not to the customer’s liking.