Should You Go To A Dealership Or Collision Center After An Accident?
When your car needs a repair in San Diego, how do you choose between service at a dealership vs. collision center? This is a common question, and one we hear often at Sunroad Collision Center.
After a fender-bender, it's crucial to act quickly for insurance purposes and to ensure that any damage is repaired promptly before it escalates into a more significant and costly issue. Plus, you'll need your car in peak condition to get back to your daily routine! This guide provides an in-depth look at the benefits of choosing a proper collision center over a dealership.
Contact Sunroad Collision Center for additional information – our team is standing by to help.
Do Dealerships Offer Collision Repair?
Many dealerships offer some degree of bodywork alongside mechanical repairs and routine maintenance. At the same time, many do not. Since collision damage requires precise expertise and specific equipment, some dealerships even outsource this type of work to dedicated collision centers instead of completing it on-site.
Should I Go to a Dealership or Collision Center?
Unlike most car dealerships, collision centers are uniquely designed to restore vehicles in the aftermath of accidents. They have the expertise to not only perform the repairs but also to handle all the surrounding logistics, including coordination with insurance providers. Because their sole focus is on collision repair, they're also equipped to deliver a higher level of craftsmanship and quality control.
Oftentimes, dealerships have these same benefits, but there are also downsides. Dealer service centers are designed for speed and often outsource the work to collision repair experts. They also tend to charge more for their services, without necessarily providing the same level of quality assurance.
If you get routine tune-ups at your local dealership, you might feel inclined to go there for auto body repairs. However, in this case, familiar doesn't always mean better.
What Is the Difference Between Collision Centers and Dealerships?
If you're still debating between choosing a dealership vs. collision center after an accident in San Diego, here are some basic explanations of what sets each facility apart.
Cost
On average, dealerships charge more for collision repairs to cover their high overhead costs and the use of certified techniques and OEM parts. Collision centers typically deliver more value for your money – offering competitive pricing for a high standard of service – especially if they hold automotive brand certifications.
Certifications
Car dealerships are almost always certified by the brand they represent, meaning that the automaker has verified that the business meets its standards. While this might look like a solid win for dealerships, many collision centers are certified, too. Sunroad Collision Center is authorized to work on over 13 automotive brands.
OEM Parts
Car dealerships are required to use OEM parts for all their repairs as a condition of their certifications. This practice hikes up the pricing for their service centers. Many certified collision centers, such as Sunroad Collision Center, also utilize genuine parts in their collision repairs without the dealership markup.
Sunroad Collision Center Is Your One-Stop Collision Center in San Diego
There is no need to wait – you can get a free estimate right away on our website before contacting us or even visiting one of our two locations in San Diego. We will happily refurbish your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
Sunroad Collision Center is also a great resource for understanding how all of this works; we can walk you through decisions, like the choice between an auto body shop vs. collision center, helping you make an informed one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dealership repairs cost more than a collision center?
Looking at the price differences between a dealership vs. collision center, you'll usually find that the dealership charges more on average. This is due in part to the higher overhead costs that car dealers face and the fact that they are led by certified technicians who specialize in particular auto brands. However, it's important to note that many collision centers, such as Sunroad Collision Center, also have certifications.
Does it impact my insurance differently if I go to a collision center vs. a dealership?
Typically, dealership service will incur a higher cost for repairs than a collision center because of its exclusive use of OEM parts. This will vary, though, because many collision centers are certified and utilize genuine parts in all their repairs. If you're unsure, please contact our team at Sunroad Collision Center to discuss any potential insurance differences that may arise if you choose a certified dealership over our services.
Do dealerships handle bodywork only?
The answer to this question depends on the auto dealer. Many dealerships will offer bodywork in addition to mechanical repairs and routine maintenance, but it is rarely a specialty. If you need collision repair, it's always wiser to choose the business that specializes in it. Our Sunroad Collision Center technicians, for instance, know their way around post-accident cars and can restore them with efficient expertise.