What is an OEM procedure?

An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) procedure is the method recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for how a repair should be performed. These procedures are based on engineering and safety standards.

Why does shop choice matter?

Because not all shops follow the same processes. Some may skip steps, use different parts, or avoid required procedures, which can affect the quality and safety of the repair.

Should I trust insurance recommendations?

You can consider them, but the final decision is yours. Insurance companies may recommend shops based on agreements or cost factors, not necessarily on repair quality.

Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop

After an accident, most drivers choose a body shop based on convenience.

The decision is often made quickly, and usually comes down to a few basic factors:

Price
Location
Insurance company recommendation

In many cases, drivers are told where to go by their insurance company and assume that recommendation guarantees a proper repair. Others simply look for the lowest estimate or the closest shop.

The issue is that none of these factors actually reflect how the repair will be performed. Collision repair is not standardized, and two shops can approach the same job very differently.

The most important factor is not where the shop is located or how much they charge—it’s how they repair the vehicle.

A proper repair depends on:

Following manufacturer (OEM) procedures
Using the correct parts for the vehicle
Completing all required steps, including diagnostics and calibrations

Not every shop takes the time to follow these procedures. Some shops may skip steps or make adjustments just to keep costs down or move vehicles through faster.

The difference comes down to whether the shop is focused on doing the job correctly or simply completing the job.

Most customers don’t know what to ask when choosing a shop, but asking the right questions can quickly reveal how a shop operates.

Some important questions include:

Do you follow OEM repair procedures for my vehicle?
Do you perform pre- and post-repair scans and calibrations?
How do you handle insurance approvals when something is required but not initially approved?
Can you walk me through your repair process step by step?

A qualified shop should be able to clearly explain what they do and why. If a shop cannot explain their process, that’s usually a sign that steps may be missing.

Choosing a body shop is not just about getting your car fixed—it’s about how that car will perform moving forward.

This decision affects:

How the vehicle holds up in another accident
Whether safety systems function properly
The long-term value of the vehicle

One of the key takeaways from the transcript is that there is a major difference between a repair that looks good and a repair that is done properly. A vehicle can appear fine on the outside while still having issues that affect safety and performance.

Not all shops repair to the same standard, and that difference matters.

What is an OEM procedure?
An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) procedure is the method recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for how a repair should be performed. These procedures are based on engineering and safety standards.
Why does shop choice matter?
Because not all shops follow the same processes. Some may skip steps, use different parts, or avoid required procedures, which can affect the quality and safety of the repair.
Should I trust insurance recommendations?
You can consider them, but the final decision is yours. Insurance companies may recommend shops based on agreements or cost factors, not necessarily on repair quality.