Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED TO SET AN APPOINTMENT TO GET AN ESTIMATE?

No, it’s not necessary to set an appointment. If it’s still possible to drive your damaged car, you may take it directly to our auto body shop for an appraisal at your convenience.

CAN I BRING MY VEHICLE AFTER OFFICE HOURS?

Yes, you can bring your vehicle to our auto body shop even after office hours as we have after-hours drop-off. Just park your car on our lot and leave your keys in our drop box located at the front of our building. It’s easy and you can rest assured that your vehicle will be completely safe. We’ll also call you the following morning to acknowledge receipt of your vehicle.

WHAT ARE THE INITIAL STEPS YOU WILL DO WHEN MY DAMAGED VEHICLE FIRST ARRIVES AT YOUR AUTO BODY SHOP?

Upon the arrival of your motor vehicle at our auto body shop, we will take pictures of the damaged portion or portions. We will then tear down the affected area and prepare an estimate. Afterwards we’ll call you up to relay our estimates for the automotive repairs.

HOW MUCH WILL THE ESTIMATE COST?

It will cost you nothing. Estimates are free.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO WRITE AN ESTIMATE?

In most of the automotive repairs we have handled, it usually takes approximately 20 minutes to examine the damage and write-up the estimate. This is generally the case for vehicles with mild to moderate damage. However, if the damage is extensive, or you have a custom-built vehicle, it may take us a bit longer to complete the inspection and write an estimate.

IS IT NECESSARY TO OBTAIN SEVERAL ESTIMATES?

Multiple estimates are not required by law and are not necessary.

CAN YOU HELP ME FIND A CAR RENTAL WHILE MY VEHICLE IS IN THE AUTO BODY SHOP?

Sure we can. Should you require a rental vehicle while your automotive repairs are being completed, we will recommend you to one of our partner car rental companies.

DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AND CHECKS?

Yes, we accept major credit cards, as well as cash and checks.

DO YOU OFFER PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL?

Yes, as a full service body and automotive repair shop, we have the tools and expertise to perform paintless dent removal or PDR. Our auto body shop meets and even exceeds the existing standards of the collision repair industry in terms of equipment, personnel, training and certifications.

WHAT EXACTLY IS PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL?

Paintless dent removal (PDR) is the advanced process of repairing dents, dings, creases, and hail damage to vehicles without affecting the original paint surface. The main advantage of paintless dent removal is that it’s faster and cheaper than conventional methods.

WHAT DOES TOTAL LOSS MEAN, AND WHEN IS MY CAR CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS?

Your motor vehicle is considered a total loss when the damage is so extensive that automotive repairs are no longer cost-effective. Basically, it means that it’s no longer economical to return your wrecked car to its previous condition.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF MY CAR IS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS?

Your insurance company’s Total Loss Specialist will perform a local market appraisal that is specific to the year, make, model, condition and mileage of your vehicle. He or she will then inform you about the valuation. This should cover the vehicle replacement or the automotive repair costs along with tax and license fees. The valuation may also include any charges that were incurred at the auto body shop as well as the cost of moving your vehicle to a salvage yard or putting it up for auction.

Questions about Insurance

CAN I CHOOSE WHERE TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED?

Yes, you can choose where to have your car repaired. It’s illegal for your insurance company to dictate which auto body shop you should use for automotive repairs.

MY INSURANCE COMPANY INSISTS THAT I BRING MY CAR TO THEIR CLAIMS CENTER FOR ASSESSMENT. AM I OBLIGATED TO DO THIS?

No, your insurer can inspect your damaged vehicle at the auto body shop where the automotive repairs are being completed. You have no obligation to bring your car to their drive-in claims center just for an appraisal.

CAN YOU ASSIST ME IN SETTLING MY INSURANCE CLAIM SO THAT ALL THE NECESSARY AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS ARE MADE?

Yes we can, and we are happy to do so. Dealing with the insurance company is often a difficult and complicated matter. We value our customers, and as a standard courtesy we‘ll handle the claims process for you. We will work with your insurance company directly to ensure that the entire automotive repair process is as hassle-free as possible.

WHAT IS A DEDUCTIBLE?

A deductible is a specified sum of money that you will be required to pay on your claim. This amount is determined when you open your insurance policy and is stipulated in the terms of agreement. Essentially, you agreed that in case you file a claim, you will pay the stipulated deductible, which will be deducted from the total cost of the automotive repairs. The remaining balance will be paid by your insurer. The deductible usually affects the amount of premiums you are charged for the policy. Your premium rate should be lower if you agree to pay a larger deductible because a high deductible means less risk for your insurance company. Since a deductible requires the insured to pay a portion of the insurance claims, it also serves to deter people from cheating the company with false claims.

CAN YOU WAVE OR PAY PART OF MY DEDUCTIBLE?

An honest and reputable automotive repair shop will never agree to this kind of arrangement. First of all, it’s illegal and constitutes insurance fraud. Secondly, burying the deductible can be easily detected by insurance appraisers who are very good in sniffing out padded repair costs. Lastly, an auto body shop that will conspire to cheat an insurance company will almost certainly cheat their customers as well. The only way that an auto body shop can bury the deductible is by cutting corners when it comes to automotive repair costs. This is to your disadvantage in terms of safety and in preserving the trade-in value of your car.

Automotive Repair Concerns

HOW SOON ARE YOU ABLE TO START WORKING ON MY VEHICLE?

As soon as our auto body shop receives an approval of our estimate from you and your insurance company, we will start repairing your vehicle. However, if your vehicle has extensive damage, or your vehicle is custom-built, our ability to start work may be subject to the availability of replacement parts.

DO YOU USE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER (OEM) OR AFTER MARKET PARTS IN YOUR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS?

Whenever we can, we use OEM parts in our automotive repairs. However, your insurance policy may specify that we install used or aftermarket parts. If this is the case, we have to abide by the terms of your policy, and install used parts instead. However, if you want OEM parts to be used, we may be able to help you in negotiating with our OEM parts suppliers to see if they will price match the parts.

CAN YOU HANDLE FRAME DAMAGE REPAIRS?

Yes, our auto body shop has state-of-the-art equipment as well as the expertise to handle frame damage. Our technicians are seasoned in straightening misaligned vehicle frames using cutting edge tools and devices to make sure that your vehicle’s frame is restored to its original specifications.

I’M WORRIED THAT THE NEW PAINT WILL NOT MATCH UP WITH MY CAR’S EXISTING PAINT. WILL THIS HAPPEN?

No need to worry about mismatched paint. Our skilled paint specialists use an advanced computerized paint mixing system to ensure that the new paint will be a perfect match with your car’s existing paint.

DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY? HOW LONG DOES THE WARRANTY LAST?

Yes, we are so confident in our top quality workmanship that we offer a limited lifetime warranty. As long as you own the vehicle, the automotive repairs are 100% covered. Please call us for additional details.

After Repair Issues

HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT BEFORE I WASH MY VEHICLE?

After picking up your vehicle from our body shop, you can wash the vehicle at any time. Be sure to use a mild car wash solution and a soft cloth or sponge. Do not use car washes with brushes for at least 90 days.

HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT BEFORE I WAX MY VEHICLE?

It is very important to let the new finish completely cure before you apply any wax to your vehicle. We strongly recommend waiting a full ninety (90) days before you wax your restored vehicle.