Clay Hoberecht, owner of Best Body Shop in Wichita, KS, is here to break the mold of shady auto body shops. Between insurance adjusters, agents and body shops that are in the pocket of big insurance companies, Hoberecht knows the general perception of the auto-repair and collision business is poor, and that any experience with this industry leaves the typical client feeling frazzled, taken advantage of, and stressed.  

Hoberecht is determined to be the difference in this collision repair business. He explains: “I come from a state of mind that if you can’t keep your doors open based on customers alone, you shouldn’t have your doors open in the first place. Far too many shops are open simply because of referrals from insurance companies, and not because individuals choose to come to them.” 

Of course, Hoberecht’s mindset has changed drastically since he opened his shop in 2014. Originally, a body shop called C. Hoberecht for Customs, he initially only dabbled in collision repair and mostly worked on customization for hot rods. However, when he realized how saturated the market was with disreputable body shops, he quickly changed the focus of his own business to address the serious need for a body shop that is primarily an advocate for the client. 

“They were extremely transparent, and I knew with certainty that they were using the best parts while also making the cars look fantastic.” — Kevin O’Malia

He explains, “I found out how much of an abyss this market is, and set out to take on and restore the collision repair business to become something that consumers deserve.” His family background and upbringing greatly contributed to this, as his father, who is a pastor, raised him to have integrity in everything he does, and he strives to set the same example for his family.  

In changing the focus of his business to be ‘client-centered,’ Hoberecht knew he had to educate himself on the rights of the consumer. Hoberecht’s platform changed to one in which insurance companies have no space to tell their customers where to have their repairs done or even what work is to be done following a crash. He found that there are laws to protect consumers, which allows them to use a body shop of their choosing, even when their insurance companies make it seem as though they have no other choice. 

As evidence of Hoberecht’s and Best Body Shop’s impact on customers, Kevin O’Malia, self-described “born-again Best Body Shop believer,” has provided a quote about his recent highly positive experience working with Hoberecht: 

“The first time I went to Best Body Shop was on a lark, as his shop was close to where we live. I had always gone to a chain body shop, and I had no allegiance to any of them as I had never had a good experience. I took my son’s car out, and after conversing with Hoberecht, I said to my son ‘This could either be the worst experience or the best experience,’ and expecting the worst, it was the best. His approach is fundamentally different from any shop I had interacted with, and he obviously makes an effort. It was the first time working with a body shop that I felt was actually on my side, almost like I had a firewall between myself and the insurance company. They were extremely transparent, and I knew with certainty that they were using the best parts while also making the cars look fantastic. When you go to Best Body Shop just once, you’ll be sold for life.”

Visit bestbodyshopinwichita.com for shop information, or be sure to follow them on Facebook, @bestbodyshop, which features educational and interactive behind the scenes videos and posts.