In a perfect world the insurance company and the body shop would both be competent and always act in the customer's best interest. That however has not been my experience.

So I find that it pays to take lots of pictures and determine the extent of the damage myself BEFORE the insurance estimates and repairs begin. That way if the insurance adjuster and/or the body shop miss some damage I know whether to trust them -- or not. Pointing out that you know how bad and where the damage is -- GOING IN -- has a way of keeping folks more honest.

Doing some homework up front takes a little time. But not as much time and hassle as fighting over an incomplete or botched repair.

Funf Dreisig