Where do I get a claim number?

You can obtain a claim number once you have reported the accident to the insurance company. Whether it is your insurance that is handling the claim or the other parties. Your insurance agent can assist you in getting this number but can not provide it to you in most cases. It can only come from the central claims department. Once this number is obtained, write it down in a safe place to keep as a reference.

Are you open on Saturday?

In most cases we are open on Saturdays from 9am to noon, but because of our heavy involvement in the car community, there are many occasions throughout the year that we are assisting or attending a car related event or race. But with an appointment, we can always arrange a Saturday time that fits your needs.

Will the parts be ordered before I drop off my car for repair?

We do prefer to order parts before the vehicle arrives for repair to make the process much quicker. With all of the options on todays vehicles sometimes we must physically have the car present to completely guarantee the correct parts did arrive. All of our parts partners have a very quick turn around time from the minute the order was placed to assure a quick repair turn-around.

If my vehicle’s frame is damaged, is it a total loss?

A total loss is not determined by the damage on the frame but an over all cost of repairs vs. value of the vehicle. Most vehicles on the road today have a unibody design and not a traditional frame. These unibody cars are designed to take the energy during a collision and collapse or bend the structure in such a way that the passengers receive little or no injuries. In most cases those structure parts are simply repaired or replaced back to pre-accident condition assuring absolute safety and performance. The auto manufacturer makes these parts readily available for just such a cause.

Can you match my car’s paint color?

There are many factors that determine the color of the paint on your vehicle. Some of these variables are moisture, temperature, air pressure the paint is sprayed at, primer color under the actual color you see, the age of the paint on the car, and even the color of the vehicle that was painted just before yours on the assembly line. One of the biggest factors also is what the parts are made of. Plastic and metal actually hold paint differently and because of this will always have a slightly different shade even if painted at the exact same time. With the use of the VIN# , the color code provided on the car, a high tech camera, and temperature controlled paint booth, along with highly trained technicians, we are able to eliminate a lot of the variables and achieve and exact blendable color for your vehicle.

Can I get other work done on my car while it’s in the body shop?

At anytime your car is in the shop for collision repair we can perform several other tasks. In some cases you may have additional damage near the collision area. This is the time to address those issues and in most instances it can be done much more cost effectively than doing it at a separate or later date. We also can assist or perform tire replacement, oil change, general service, detailing, window tinting, interior work, or striping or custom painting. This will save the hassle of taking your car all over town. Let us be your one stop shop for everything automotive. We also have our sister shop just up the street, Brighton Motorsports, who can assist in major mechanical needs such as engine building and suspension upgrades along with several other specialties.

How long will the repairs take?

The length of a collision repair is determined by the amount of hours on the total estimate and parts availability. The are also occasions that after a car is disassembled hidden damage can be found. If this happens and the insurance company needs to do a reinspect this would add time to the amount of days the car is in the shop also. We will do everything possible to keep the time with out your vehicle a brief one and keep you informed throughout the process of any changes that occur.

Can I get a ride home when I drop off my car?

We would be more than happy to assist in a ride home or to work when dropping off your car. If this is needed we only ask that you inform us of this upon making the appointment so that we are prepared and make your wait as short as possible.

Can you arrange for a rental car?

We work very closely with the local Enterprise Rental Car company in our area and would be happy to assist in the car rental process.

How will I know when my car is done?

We will keep you informed throughout the repair process on the progress of your car. In most cases you will be notified the day before your car will be completed and again on the day of delivery to confirm an exact time.

Is there a warranty on the repairs to my vehicle?

Yes. We provide a limited lifetime warranty for collision damages on all repairs and paint against any manufacturer defects, welds, and application of materials utilized in making the collision repairs, excluding rust repair. We also provide a 90 day mechanical warranty on all mechanical repairs pertaining directly to original collision damage, and a one year warranty on defective parts through the manufacture of said part. The warranty is effective unless caused by or resulting from unreasonable use, maintenance, or care of the vehicle.

Do I have to pay a deductible? Who do I pay a deductible to?

The deductible is paid to the shop at the completion of the repairs. In some limited instances it can be negotiated with the shop on the amount.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept all forms of payment, cash, checks, all major credit cards insurance checks and cashier checks. We do have limits on the dollar amount of each payment option. Simply give us a call to go over those items with you.

What are Betterment Charges?

Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use (i.e., tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process. (Example: If your tire has 50% of the tread remaining, you would owe for the 50% of the tire that has been used) These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles and age of your vehicle. These betterment charges would be owed at the end of the repair to the collision repair facility.

How long after painting before I can wash my car?

We recommend not washing your car for the first 5 days of getting it back. Although we do provide a baked on finish and the paint is dry to the touch it is still curing. We also recommend not putting any wax on the vehicle for the first 30-45 days after painting. Once that time has elapsed we would be more than happy and encourage you to have us apply that wax for you. This helps us assure the paint is curing properly and gets the proper protection for a long lasting finish.