Answers to common questions about collision repair, insurance claims and auto body work, organized by topic.
Make sure everyone is safe, document the scene with photos, exchange insurance information, and file a police report if required. Once you're ready to move forward with repairs, bring your vehicle in for an inspection and estimate. Learn more →
Timelines vary by the extent of the damage, parts availability and insurance approval. Minor repairs may take a few days; major structural repairs can take several weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline once we've inspected your vehicle. Learn more →
Frame damage refers to structural damage to a vehicle's frame or unibody, typically from a moderate-to-severe collision. We use computerized measuring to identify the extent of damage, then correct it against factory specifications. Learn more →
Yes. California law gives you the right to choose your own repair shop, even if your insurance company recommends one from their own network. Learn more →
Yes, we work directly with most major insurance carriers and can help you understand your estimate and the claims process. Learn more →
Requirements vary by insurance company. Some accept a single shop estimate, others request more than one. We can provide documentation to support your claim either way. Learn more →
Yes, we provide a clear, itemized written estimate and walk through it line by line, whether the repair is covered by insurance or paid out of pocket. Learn more →
Yes. We use computerized color matching to identify your vehicle's original formula and adjust it to account for fading and age, so repaired panels blend with the rest of the car. Learn more →
Most scratches can be repaired, either through buffing for light surface scratches or sanding, priming and repainting for scratches that go through the clear coat or base color. Learn more →
Clear coat is the transparent top layer that protects your car's color coat from UV exposure and the elements. When it cracks, peels or fades, it needs to be repaired or reapplied. Learn more →
Yes, if the paint hasn't cracked and the metal is accessible from behind, paintless dent repair can often fix the dent without any paint work. Learn more →
In many cases, yes. Cracks, scrapes and dents in the plastic bumper cover can often be repaired and refinished, which is typically less expensive than full replacement. Severe damage or damage to the mounting brackets may require replacement. Learn more →
Yes, hail damage is often a good candidate for paintless dent repair, since it typically involves numerous small dents without paint damage. Learn more →
A shop's review history, BBB accreditation, willingness to explain an estimate line by line, and whether they'll work directly with your insurance carrier are all good signs of a shop worth trusting with your vehicle. Learn more →
Yes, we've worked on European makes including BMW and Porsche, alongside everyday domestic and import vehicles. Learn more →
Call us at (619) 292-5297, stop by the shop, or fill out the form on our contact page and we'll follow up with next steps. Learn more →