Taken from http://www.autoinsurancerates.com/tips-for...-body-shop.html and I thought it was a good quick read...

Tips for Choosing a Body Shop After a Collision

For most people, the car is the 2nd largest investment you will make in a single object besides a home. This is why after an accident, choosing the right auto-body shop and getting an estimate can mean the difference between an expensive nightmare and a simple, painless repair job.

Insurance Company Recommends…

Your insurance company will have a list of pre-approved auto body shops that they have worked with in the past but don’t let them force you or “steer” you into using one of the shops on this list if you don’t want to. You should get the list and research the shops that are on it by following all or some of the methods below.

Your Friends Recommend…

As your friends and family if there are any shops on the list that they have seen or heard of before. Their practical, first-hand experience is the most valuable recommendation you can get when it comes to getting your vehicle repaired - especially if they know anyone at the shop and can introduce you to them when you take your vehicle in. If your friends or family don’t know any of the shops on the list ask them for information on any shops that they do know and continue your search below.

The BBB & Other Agencies Recommend…

Search any remaining auto body shops with the Better Business Bureau and/or other local agencies in your state that regulate auto body shops. You may also search for information on a shop you are interested in with the Automotive Service Association (ASA). You can call them at (800) ASA-SHOP to see if they are a member and if they have any complaints against them.

Finally, Google it!

The Internet is essentially the sum of human knowledge, and that includes upset and ripped-off consumers who have dealt with just about every type of business or product you can imagine. A quick Google search of “Joe’s Auto Body Shop, Mesa AZ”, for example could turn up pages and pages of information on this shop including their vital information (address, phone number) as well as any pages or message board posts that contain that phrase and speak of that shop. You might be surprised what you discover.