FAQs

The Auto body shop your vehicle was towed to will pay the tow bill and then put it on the final bill after the repair has been completed. In most cases, this will be covered by your insurance plan.

Yes, in some states this is a requirement, however, Washington state law allows you to choose the repair facility of your choice. Your insurance company may put a little pressure on you to use their contracted shops but you can say no.

NO, you do not need more than one estimate from different auto body shops. You need to choose one repair facility and that is it. This idea that you need three estimates is a myth and urban legend started more than 50 years ago in the U.S.A.

More times than not, the original estimate is lower due to unseen damage that will not be revealed until the vehicle is disassembled. The insurer knows this and has put in place a supplement process. Once the vehicle is disassembled, the auto body shop will submit a supplement attached to the original estimate for the insurance company’s approval.

Every Insurance company’s goal is to minimize their respective costs. Collision 1 works very closely with all insurance companies to help them achieve this goal. However, Collision 1 is equally concerned with the quality of the repair and we are determined to get it done for you correctly by the manufacturer’s recommendations. Therefore, if after dismantling the vehicle we find additional damage that wasn’t previously uncovered, we submit a supplement attached to the original estimate for the insurance company’s approval. The insurer has put in place a supplement process if it becomes necessary to make additions to the original estimate. The insurance companies always pay for obvious unseen damage.

Only after the repair is completed. After the repair process is complete, you will be contacted to come to the Collision Center. You will be given a rundown of the complete process and repair that was completed and a walk-around inspection of your vehicle. Once satisfied, you will receive a statement of completion and a bill for any out of pocket funds outstanding. This includes a deductible payment if your insurance requires it. It also may include any extra or additional work you authorized to be done over and beyond the scope of the original damage. (Example; some customers have the body shop repair unrelated damage or paint while it is in the shop at their own cost).

OEM is an acronym for “Original Equipment Manufacturer” parts. This indicates that these parts came from or were provided by or from the original manufacture.

Aftermarket parts are parts that are not OEM, “Original Equipment Manufacturer” parts. Aftermarket indicates that these parts came from a manufacturer other than from the original manufacture.

LKQ is an acronym for “like, kind, quality”. These are OEM “Original Equipment Manufacturer” parts that are removed from used or preowned vehicles that are in good usable working order and a match to those parts that need to be replaced on your damaged vehicle. Specialty companies take vehicles that are destined for the junkyard and dismantle the parts that are in good shape and safe to use to be sold to auto body shops as needed.

No. This would be dishonest and unethical. A reputable collision center would never suggest that the estimate be modified or changed in order to save the deductible.

Yes, they have a right to inspect your vehicle but are not required to do so. If your Insurance company chooses to perform an inspection, they can require you to travel a reasonable distance to complete their inspection. However, they cannot require you to drive your vehicle to one of their own drive-in claim centers. Rather, an adjuster of the insurance company’s choice may perform the inspection.

If your vehicle can be safely driven, the company must complete the inspection within 15 days after you notify them of your claim. If your vehicle cannot be safely driven the insurance company must inspect the vehicle within five business days after you notify them of the claim.

If parts are being replaced on your damaged vehicle, your insurance company is required to pay for original equipment (OEM) parts, unless you agree to aftermarket parts (parts not manufactured by your vehicle’s manufacturer). However, your insurance company is only responsible for restoring your vehicle to the way it was before it was damaged. If your vehicle was not new at the time of loss, the insurer does not have to pay for the OE parts. They must pay for parts of “like kind and quality” LKQ, (OEM parts of comparable age and condition). If you request new OEM parts on an older vehicle, you may be required to pay the difference.

Your Insurance company will give you a claim number once you report your accident to them. Bring the claim number in with you when you come in to begin the repair process, Collision 1 will do the rest.

DRP is an acronym for the “Direct Repair Program”. An invited body shop works directly with your insurance company as a preferred shop. Insurance companies choose auto body shops with good reputations for quality workmanship and high standards of customer service to participate in their DRP. Body shops earn the right to be in preferred shop programs by meeting certain requirements including having certified technicians, using the proper equipment, and finishing the repairs in a timely manner. The goal is to streamline the process in order to save time, money, and customer frustration. A preferred shop writes the estimate, orders the parts, and repairs your vehicle without having to wait for insurance approval. Insurance companies constantly monitor their preferred shops to ensure quality repairs.

No, we are open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. If you need to have your vehicle dropped off on the weekend that is ok. We also have drop boxes for notes and keys.

Once we have a claim number, we start the process. Our goal is to order your vehicle’s parts at the time that your repair is scheduled to begin. This enables us to provide a quicker turnaround time.

Not necessarily. Your insurance company determines a total loss only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance companies determined the value of your vehicle. Our highly skilled technicians, with the aid of our state-of-the-art laser measuring systems, can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications “like it never happened”.

We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process. We use highly technical color matching cameras and computers to begin the match process. We then create small samples to check alongside your vehicle’s existing paint to ensure that each vehicle’s paint matches.

Yes. Just let your estimator know what other work you would like done so that he can make the necessary arrangements. Of course, you will be responsible for the costs of these at the end of the repair.

Your Estimator will give you a timeline that we estimate it will take to complete the repairs to your vehicle. Our goal for drivable vehicles that are scheduled in on Monday and is delivered back to customers by Friday when possible.

Yes, we would be happy to offer you a ride to work or home.

Collision 1 has a comprehensive Rental Car program right here at our shops. In most cases, we can literally get a rental into your hands within minutes of your arrival. If you need a ride to the shop, just give us a call and we will send a shuttle to pick you up. No one does it like Collision 1!

It depends on your insurance policy whether or not you will be required to pay a deductible. If you aren’t sure about your deductible, you can call your estimator at Collision 1 and he/she can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether you will be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.

It is determined that you will be required to pay your insurance deductible, it will be collected by the auto body shop who completed the repair.

We accept CASH, cashier’s checks, Visa/Mastercard, and American Express.

When you’re making a car insurance claim, you’re expected to pay a betterment charge when the repairs to your vehicle will put it in better condition than it was before the collision. When 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 with new parts during the repair process. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles on your vehicle.

Yes, all technicians go through on-line and in-class ongoing training to maintain I-CAR GOLD status. We employ only the most current methods of repair and use high-end current tools to get the job right the first time.

YES. All our repairs come with a written lifetime warranty protecting your vehicle against any defect in materials or workmanship as long as you own the vehicle. Whether you need repairs for cracking, hazing, or fading, our experts will meet your needs and deliver quality results.

Many customers wonder how long our warranty lasts. The answer is simple: We guarantee* our work against materials and workmanship defects as long as you own the vehicle. Our team has years of experience and won’t let you leave the lot until your vehicle’s exterior is in tip-top shape.

OUR VISION PLUS LIFETIME WARRANTY

As a VisionPLUS Lifetime Warranty Center, we offer the finest coatings for collision repair. We guarantee your paint job or repair to last your car’s lifetime. The warranty covers your car’s finish against:

• Peeling
• Cracking
• Hazing
• Fading
• Chalking

What sets the VisionPLUS Lifetime Warranty apart? It’s only available from certified painters at certified collision centers. Collision 1 is one of those certified centers, so can guarantee our work. If you’re not satisfied with our work, we’ll fix it for you.

*Keep in mind: Although this guarantee is non-transferable, it is valid at any Collision 1 center as long as you own the vehicle.

OUR EXPERIENCE

We have more than 30 years of experience in the auto collision repair industry. We’ve established a set of principles to ensure our clients feel appreciated and respected. Our team has gained a reputation as leaders in the industry and are always looking for ways to improve

While we recommend scheduling an appointment to expedite the process as efficiently as possible, our professionals are available from 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM Monday through Friday to help.

Estimates usually take 15 to 30 minutes to complete. We have plenty of space for you to sit and enjoy refreshments while you wait. If you’re in a big hurry, we’ll be happy to provide it via FAX or E-mail.

No, we do not provide a free loaner or rental cars. In most cases, the expense of your rental may be covered by the insurance company. At Collision 1, a comprehensive Rental Car program right here at our shops is available. In most cases, we can literally get a rental into your hands within minutes of your arrival. If you need a ride to the shop, just give us a call and we will send a shuttle to pick you up. No one does it like Collision 1!

Yes.

The repair process includes disassembly, body repair, and painting. During these processes, your vehicle is often open and exposed to the elements of repair. We would prefer you to gather your personal belongings to ensure you have them if needed. As well as keeping them in order and clean.

To give a comprehensive estimate it is necessary to be able to look very closely at the damaged vehicle. More often than not, we find hidden damage that is only revealed after we do some disassembly. Due to the hidden and unseen issues that arise, we ask that we inspect the vehicle in person. Our inspection/estimate will take from 15 to 30 minutes so we can give you and your insurance company a clear and accurate picture of what the repair process and the cost will be.

First, you can get advice from the police when they arrive and or the tow truck driver if one arrives on site. If your vehicle has sustained any major damage there is a possibility that it is unsafe to drive. Possibilities are steering issues, exhaust leak into cabin, tire issues where the tire blows out while driving, gas tank or brake line punctures, etc. All of which could cause a life-threatening situation or more damage to the vehicle than was caused by the initial accident. Additional damage caused by driving a vehicle after an accident is usually not covered as part of the original loss. If in doubt, don’t drive it. Has it towed to a Collision 1Auto Body Shop?