Who Can You Trust to Fix Your Car?; Tips on Finding a Reliable Repair Shop

LOS ANGELES--April 13, 2005--Trying to find a good mechanic or service center to repair your vehicle can be daunting. How do you know if you've found a good mechanic? How do you go about researching a good repair shop?

Studies show that one of the most important factors for customers when choosing a repair facility is trust. "Vehicle owners want to know that the service center is making the necessary repairs with the correct parts and the proper equipment," said Jeff Beyer, Senior Vice President at Farmers. "But they also want to feel confident that they are not being taking advantage of," added Beyer.

But where do you start in search of that service center? Farmers Insurance offers the following tips when looking for a reliable auto repair shop:

-- Ask for recommendations from friends or co-workers before your vehicle actually needs repairs. If you can, test the repair shop with a small maintenance job such as a tune up. If you're happy with their work and service, perhaps you've found a shop for you.

-- Contact local consumers groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau, to check on a shop's reliability.

-- Look for repair facilities that are licensed by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or one that employs ASE-certified technicians. The ASE signage should be prominently displayed.

-- Confirm that the facility has up-to-date equipment and specialized tools to make the type of repair you need.

-- Check to see if your repair is under warranty. If so, make sure the shop honors it and that it is authorized to make the repair under the warranty.

-- Look for neat, well-organized service floors. Also, look for clearly posted signs on labor rates, guarantees and methods of payment.

-- For convenience, ask if the service center provides a pickup and drop-off service so you can spend the day at home or at the office instead of in the waiting room.

Farmers also recommends vehicle owners look for a mechanic or shop owner who they feel comfortable talking with.

"As the vehicle owner, you should feel comfortable discussing any aspect of the service, whether it's explaining the noise your vehicle makes or understanding the repair your mechanic plans to perform," said Beyer. "Being able to easily communicate with your mechanic is the first step toward earning that trust," added Beyer.

Farmers also recommends bringing a list of things you've noticed about your vehicle to make sure you've addressed all issues.

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the insurers comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households through 17,000 exclusive and independent agents and district managers. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.