Collision Repair Questions, Answered
Still have a question? Call the shop at (845) 229-7353. We tow 24 hours a day and work with every insurance company.
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No. Under Section 2610 of the New York Insurance Law the choice of repair shop is yours. Your insurer cannot require a particular shop, and it cannot even suggest one unless you ask it to first — the one exception being a claim only for window glass. Picking your own shop does not reduce what your policy owes you.
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Usually not. Most insurers write or accept a single estimate and settle from there. If yours asks for more, you can provide them, but you are not obligated to collect estimates from shops you have no intention of using.
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It depends on fault and on the coverage you carry. If another driver is at fault, their liability coverage pays. If you are at fault, or the other driver is unknown or uninsured, your own collision coverage pays less your deductible. We bill the insurer directly so you are not chasing paperwork.
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If you are claiming against an at-fault driver, yes, for the time your vehicle is being repaired. On your own policy you get one only if you carry rental coverage, usually with a daily limit and a maximum number of days. Your declarations page will say.
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A shop that has signed an agreement with an insurance company, usually trading discounted labor rates, shorter repair times and aftermarket parts for a steady stream of referrals. We are independent and are not on any insurer’s program, so the repair plan answers to you.
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Aftermarket copies of original parts, built by companies with no relationship to your vehicle’s manufacturer. They can fit poorly, corrode sooner and perform differently in a second collision. If an insurer specifies them on your estimate we will tell you and walk you through your options.
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That is normal, and it is handled with a supplement. We document the newly found damage and send it to your insurer for approval before we go further. Your deductible does not change, and we tell you right away if it moves your completion date.
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We guarantee our work, we answer to you rather than to an insurer, and we do not put economy parts on your vehicle without telling you. Our technicians are I-CAR, ASE and PPG trained and we have the equipment to repair modern vehicles correctly. Family owned and operated in Hyde Park for more than fifty years.
Don’t let them mislead you
A short explainer on how insurers push people toward the shops on their list, and what to say when it happens to you. Made by consumer advocates, not by us — it has been on our website for years because it puts it plainly.
Getting a fair price for a total loss
What to do when the insurer says your car is not worth repairing — and how the figure they put in front of you is supposed to be worked out in the first place.
Still not sure? Just ask.
Call the shop and we’ll answer any questions and guide you through the process. Whether you’re unclear about a repair, want an estimate, or need help prioritizing services, our team is ready to help—no pressure, just clear information so you can decide with confidence.
