Frequently Asked Questions

This page collects the questions we hear most often from drivers trying to get their vehicles repaired. The questions are grouped into five sections — finding a body shop, understanding repair costs, how our directory works, collision and repair types, and what happens after the repair is done. If you are here because you just had an accident and you are trying to figure out the next step, start with the first two sections, then read through the cost breakdown so you are not blindsided by the estimate your shop hands you.

Most of what we cover is not industry secrets. It is the stuff good body-shop employees will tell you if you ask the right questions, the stuff insurance adjusters will not volunteer, and the stuff experienced drivers learn the hard way after their first major collision repair. If you are looking for something specific and do not see it answered below, send us an email — we update this page whenever a question comes up more than once or twice.

A few things worth knowing up front. Your insurance company cannot force you to use a specific body shop — the choice of repair facility is always yours, though insurers can set reimbursement limits, so if your chosen shop charges more than the insurer’s standard rate, you may pay the difference. Repair estimates for identical damage can vary 30 percent or more between shops, so getting at least three quotes is always worth the time. The cheapest quote is almost never the best value; shops that undercut on price usually cut corners somewhere you will not see until months later — thin paint, skipped primer, aftermarket parts instead of OEM. Reputable shops are happy to walk you through the damage, show you the parts they are ordering, and share photos during the repair. If a shop gets evasive about any of this, treat it as a red flag and look elsewhere.