Toyota Certified Collision Center vs good local Bodyshop?

insurance companies often have a list of recommended shops, and sometimes guarantee the work done by them.
you don't need a Toyota shop if you know a good indy

 

How do you choose?
Perhaps, previous customer satisfaction and, if you can, viewing some of the shops
finished products.

Yes, a good local shop can be good.
Certified Toyota implies to me they use ONLY oem parts.

Quality body alignment ie frame/chassis straightening, is very important.
Ie: Future tire wear guarantees?
Does the shop have a quality frame jig; can you ask them before dropping off?
This is perhaps again when long-term customer satisfaction can be researched.

Yet, colour match and paint application are the big issues for me.
Dare I write, frame/ panel alignment is "facts", but paint is "artistic".
Paint mil thickness, paint hardness/ durability, flex additives, colour,
"orange peel" similarities, and paint blending.
This is perhaps where personally viewing some finished products would
be helpful with your shop decision.

Can you tell a car was repaired?
Well, I guess that's the question.
And then... there is diminished value.
At trade-in how much money did you lose from this collision damage?

As for the insurance's shop recommendation, I would ignore it, as IMO that
recommendation is based on cost savings to the ins. co.

Ah, you wanted a new car anyway LOL .

Good luck with your decision