Should I call my insurance company prior to bringing in my car for an estimate?

You certainly can call your insurance company prior to bringing in your car for an estimate although without knowing the cost of the repairs it’s sometimes a really good idea to get a professional to look at the vehicle to determine whether it warrants opening an insurance claim first. Once we are able to see the car and look at the damage we can quickly help you determine the route you should go and whether or not you even want to involve your insurance company nobody wants to see their insurance rates go up and if you contact your insurance company with the intention of asking about opening a claim you may actually have to open a claim before you even get any answers from them we would be happy to assist you in helping you make the right decision that works the best for you.

Do I Have the Right To select The Shop That Will Repair My Vehicle?

Absolutely, always remember you are the one who owns the vehicle, and you have every reason to want to choose the repair shop that will do any work on it. Your insurance company may suggest that you go to one of the repair shops on their preferred list and you certainly can do that although remember that those shops all work for your insurance company and are contracted with them to serve their best interests. We have chosen to stay away from any contracts with insurance companies so that we can serve the best interests of our customers without being required to use substandard parts and perform unsafe repair practices. It’s always a good idea to check the reviews on a repair shop prior to using their services just like you may do before going to an unfamiliar restaurant. Keep in mind that not all Collision shops are equal, and having a lifetime warranty from center collision will protect your investment for as long as it is on the road.

What Is A "Direct Repair" Shop Or DRP?

Insurance companies have a financial interest in the repairs on a vehicle when involved in a collision and a claim is made. For this reason, they have created opportunities for collision shops to team up with them with the hopes of getting the repairs done quickly and efficiently. Although this sounds good on the surface you should probably ask yourself quote who is this program really benefiting quote? If you are like most people and you have been paying insurance for quite some time to protect your expensive investment you may be surprised if you take your car to one of their direct repair shops and you find that your vehicle is not being repaired to the manufacturer’s recommendations and the parts being used are untested substandard parts or use parts that cannot be warranted. At center collision we put safety first, this is the very first sentence in our basic core values. For this reason, we have chosen to stay independent of any contracts with insurance companies which would require us to compromise our basic principles and undermine our customers.

If My Vehicle Frame Is Damaged, Is It a Total Loss?

Sometimes vehicles are damaged beyond just the outside panels to the point that the frame itself has damage. This type of damage can occur without being visually obvious, although there are some signs that would point to this possibility just by looking at it. At Center collision we have a state-of-the-art Lazer measuring system that we rely on to check the frame if there is any question whatsoever about the integrity of the vehicle after an accident. If the frame does have damage to it that does not automatically mean that the vehicle would be a total loss. Depending on how much damage it has and where the damage is, it may or may not be repairable. Newer vehicles have repair procedures provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle that provide guidelines on whether a frame can be repaired, how it must be repaired, what cannot be repaired and what needs to be replaced. There are times when we can replace sections of the frame and other times where the whole frame would need to be replaced. These are not decisions we make on our own, they are always based off the recommended repair procedures from the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Can You Match the Paint Color on My Vehicle?

A bad color match on a repaired vehicle is a telltale sign of an improper repair. There’s nothing worse than getting your vehicle back after being repaired only to find that the paint does not match like it used to and this will not go away. Although there are a variety of new colors that come out each year, we have all the toners we need to mix our own paint in our state-of-the-art mixing lab here at center collision. New Modern vehicles are painted at the factory with a base coat clear coat system. The base coat, which is the color, is made from a waterborne paint system and the clear coat which protects the color and makes it shiny is a solvent based product. We use only the best PPG products to match the color and provide durability on the clear coat giving the vehicle a factory looking finish and a color match that cannot be detected.

How Will I Know When My Vehicle Repair Is Completed?

As your vehicle goes through the repair process at Center Collision you will be informed on a regular basis of what is going on and when you can expect it to be finished. This is part of a 12-step process that we have developed to keep our customers aware of what we are doing on their behalf and what we need to proceed. We update our customers every Wednesday, but we are always available if additional updates are needed or desired. Part of our check-in process includes asking our customers about their preferred method of communication, some people prefer phone calls well others prefer getting a text or an email. Whichever you prefer we will communicate with you and advise you of the progress we are making on your vehicle while it is here at the shop. Once the vehicle repairs are finished and the insurance company has sent the final payment, we will do a final clean up in detail on the vehicle and verify that everything is in order before we let you know it is ready to be picked up.

Faq

Collision Repair FAQs

Get straightforward answers to common questions about repair timelines, insurance claims, estimates, and your legal rights. Watch quick video answers from our team or read the summaries below to navigate your repair with confidence.

How long will it take to repair my vehicle?

Repair time depends on damage severity, parts availability, and insurance approvals, but we keep you updated throughout the entire process.

Do I need to bring in my vehicle to get an estimate?

In most cases, yes. Seeing the vehicle in person allows us to create a more accurate repair plan and identify hidden damage.

Should I call my insurance company before bringing in my car for an estimate?

You can, but it’s not required. We can help guide you through the claim process and next steps when you arrive.

Do I have the right to choose my own repair shop?

Yes. You always have the legal right to choose the repair shop, regardless of your insurance company’s recommendations.

Do you provide a warranty on my repair?

Yes. We back our work with a lifetime transferable warranty for long-term peace of mind.

What is a direct repair shop (DRP)?

Direct repair shops partner directly with insurance networks, but you are never required to use one. By law, you always have the right to choose any shop you trust.

Can you work with my insurance company?

Yes. We work with all insurance companies and help manage the process to ensure your vehicle is repaired correctly.

Why is Center Collision NOT on the list of approved shops from my insurance company?

Some shops choose to stay independent so they can prioritize proper repairs and customer advocacy over insurance program limitations.

Do I have to pay a deductible?

If your policy includes a deductible, you are responsible for that portion of the repair cost.

Does frame damage mean my vehicle is automatically a total loss?

Not necessarily. Many vehicles with structural damage can be safely repaired depending on the severity and repair feasibility.

What can I expect if my car is a total loss?

If your vehicle is declared a total loss, your insurance company will handle valuation and settlement rather than repair.

Will the new paint match my vehicle's exact color?

Yes. We use advanced color-matching technology to blend paint for a seamless, factory-quality finish.

How will I know when my car is ready?

We send regular updates throughout your repair so you’re never left guessing. Once your vehicle passes our final quality inspection, we’ll contact you immediately to schedule pickup.