Get it in writing
When your vehicle needs repairs, ask your auto shop for an estimate in writing first. In some states, such as California, auto shops are required to provide customers with a written contract and an invoice for any repairs before doing the work. To find out what your state law specifies, consult our list at usaweekend.com.
Online extra: Click the links to find out the law in your state:
Alaska
http://www.law.state.ak.us/department/civil/consumer/4545130.html
California
http://www.weblocator.com/attorney/ca/law/c05.html
Colorado
http://www.ago.state.co.us/consprot/consumerlaws/MotorVehicleRepairAct.pdf
Connecticut
http://ct.gov
Delaware
http://law.justia.com/delaware/codes/title6/c049a.html
Florida
http://www.law.ufl.edu/lic/guides/florida/Auto%20Repair.pdf
Hawaii
http://www.aroundhawaii.com/lifestyle/art_and_leisure/2009-05-a-consumers-guide-to-automotive-repair.html
Iowa
http://www.iowa.gov/government/ag/consumer/advisories/auto_repair.html
Idaho
http://idaho.mystateusa.com
Illinois
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/autorepair_act.html
Indiana
http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title27/ar4/ch1.5.pdf
Louisiana
http://www.lmvc.state.la.us/PDF/LMVC-RulesANDRegulations.pdf
Maine
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/Statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1802.html
Maryland
www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge77.htm
Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov
Michigan
michigan.gov/documents/ar0097_16020_7.pdf
Minnesota
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Cars/MNCarlaws/MNCarLaws_3.asp#Truth%20In%20Repairs
Montana
http://www.doj.mt.gov/consumer/consumer/consumercomplaint/top10.asp
(Final cost may not be more than 10% above that estimate.)
Nebraska
http://www.nebraskaautobody.com/newsletters/2009/july9.pdf
Nevada
agdev.state.nv.us/newsroom/press/2007/NCPW2007AutoRepair.pdf
New Hampshire
http://www.nhls.org/Data/DocumentLibrary/Documents/1061607549.09/AutoRepair.doc
New Jersey
http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/departments/consumer_affairs/info/auto.htm
New Mexico
http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/NMAC/parts/title12/12.002.0006.htm
New York
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c17.htm
North Carolina
http://www.unc.edu/student/orgs/sls/pages/topics/auto_repair.htm
Ohio
http://www.ohiolemonlaw.com/repair-rule.html
Oklahoma
http://www.dcs.state.ok.us/sw_contracts.nsf/6fe2a5d9256854f886256c63004e411e/e937884aa60a4bed8625759c00480b6e/$FILE/SW767%20Vehicle%20Maintenance%20Contract.pdf
Oregon
http://www.oregoniansforsafeautorepair.com/html/oregon_law.html
Pennsylvania
http://www.beyondparts.com/states/pennsylvania.htm#6.%20Consumer%20Auto%20Repair%20Practices%20Acts
Virginia
http://law.onecle.com/virginia/trade-and-commerce/ch17.1.html
Washington
http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/Pubs/ExciseTax/WATaxFacts/TaxFacts_MQ_06_M03.pdf
Wisconsin
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/top-complaints/auto_repair.jsp
No specific laws in these states:
Alabama
www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm
Arizona
http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/mu/legal/auto.htm
Arkansas
http://www.ag.arkansas.gov/consumers_protection_vehicles_repairing.html
Georgia
http://consumer.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,5426814_94800056_94857406,00.html
Kansas
Kentucky
http://manuals.chfs.ky.gov/dcbs_manuals/dfs/voliiia/voliiiams5375.doc
Mississippi
Missouri
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C400-499/4070000295.HTM
North Dakota
Rhode Island
http://www.dbr.ri.gov/documents/rules/insurance/InsuranceRegulation108.pdf
South Carolina
South Dakota
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2000/bills/SB33ENR.pdf
Tennessee
http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/102/pub/pc0194.pdf
Texas
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/car_repair.shtml
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming
Additional resources
http://www.beyondparts.com/states/
www.abaconn.com/abaconn/section_38a.pdf
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1801.html
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