Had a car accident? Need car repairs? Filling a car insurance claim? Don't trust the insurance companies or the auto repair shops to treat you right. Here's how to keep them honest.

1. Step 1

   If you've had a car accident (your fault or not),and need car repairs , you will probably be filing a car insurance claim.When you first have the vehicle towed , ask your mechanic if you can store the vehicle on his lot for a day or two while you shop for a body shop or repair facility.Also ask your mechanic for references for "Independent" body/repair shops. Meanwhile you will need to call your insurance company or the "At Fault Party's" Insurance Company and file a car insurance claim.When you talk to them they will ask you what body shop you want it towed to.Don't ask them for suggestions! Tell them you're having the vehicle towed to your mechanic to hold while you shop for a repair facility.If they want their adjuster to see the vehicle they can do it there or wait until you locate a repair shop.

2. Step 2

   Now shop for the repair shop.If you had asked the insurance company for body shops they would have most likely suggested shops they regularly do business with and you don't want that.Check out a website called www.stopsteering.com and see what I mean.I've been fighting with my insurer for 2 1/2 years now so this advice is from the heart.You're learning from my mistakes.I even put a video on youtube called "Time for payback to the insurance companies".Ask the shops you are evaluating ,how much do they rely on business from insurance companies? Tell them you don't want a shop that is going to "buckle" under the pressure of an insurance company trying to pressure them into doing what the insurance company wants.

3. Step 3

   When you have found a repair shop that you are comfortable with (they have shown you their "standards" to which they repair vehicles and demonstrated that they're on YOUR SIDE).You then call the insurance company and tell them where to tow your vehicle and begin the repair process.Remember , you want a repair facility that is NOT beholding to the insurance companies! Insurers will pressure them to do sub-standard work to cut costs to save the insurer money at your expense.The repair shops will comply because they can't afford to lose business from the insurance companies.It's a racket out there.An independent repair facility that doesn't rely on insurance companies for their business can and will tell insurance adjusters "where to go and how to get there" and will fight for your best interests.

4. Step 4

   When your vehicle is repaired you will be given a warranty.Use it.Even the best of body shops can make a mistake.If your vehicle has any "hiccups" bring it right back to the repair shop.Car repairs and auto insurance claims are a trying experience.An independent repair shop makes it so much more tolerable!