Best Auto Body Repair in Olympia, WA

The length of time it takes to repair a vehicle is determined by the amount of damage it has. Some vehicle repairs can be scheduled for the same day whereas most repairs are normally a couple of weeks or more from the time the vehicle is dropped off. Usually, an insurance company is involved during the repair process and after we get the vehicle into the shop, we will provide them a full and complete damage analysis that will include necessary repairs, Parts, and procedures like scanning the computer to clear out fault codes and calibrations that reset and confirms that all the safety features on the vehicle are working properly. After we get approval for the repairs, parts can be ordered, and repairs can be started right away. One thing you can be certain of is that your vehicle will be repaired at the standards set by the vehicle manufacturer, and you will have the confidence that your vehicle looks great operates safely and will continue to retain the value that you are counting on.

Yes, we work with all insurance companies regularly. They provide a valuable product that we all need. Sometimes our customers will tell us that we are not on the list of the preferred shops for their insurance company and so they do not know if we were able to work with them. Although we do not sign up for contracts with any insurance companies, we work with every one of them on behalf of our customers. By not being in a contract with any insurance company we can effectively represent and stand up for the best interests of our customers and their vehicles. Our goal is to repair each vehicle properly and safely and provide a lifetime warranty to protect the vehicle and its owner. By working with each insurance company as an independent collision shop, we can repair vehicles to our high standards and help our customers understand the value of having a shop that works for them.

Sometimes vehicles are damaged beyond just the outside panels to the point that the frame itself has damage. This type of damage can occur without being visually obvious, although there are some signs that would point to this possibility just by looking at it. At Center collision we have a state-of-the-art Lazer measuring system that we rely on to check the frame if there is any question whatsoever about the integrity of the vehicle after an accident. If the frame does have damage to it that does not automatically mean that the vehicle would be a total loss. Depending on how much damage it has and where the damage is, it may or may not be repairable. Newer vehicles have repair procedures provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle that provide guidelines on whether a frame can be repaired, how it must be repaired, what cannot be repaired and what needs to be replaced. There are times when we can replace sections of the frame and other times where the whole frame would need to be replaced. These are not decisions we make on our own, they are always based off the recommended repair procedures from the manufacturer of the vehicle.

When you are getting an estimate either from and insurance Adjuster, a photo app, or a collision shop you can be certain that it will not include all the necessary parts, repairs, and procedures simply because it is being written based off what a person can see from the outside of the vehicle. Once the vehicle comes to our shop and is disassembled, additional damage which is accident related is usually discovered at that time. During our repair planning process, we identify what has already been approved on the initial estimate and then we create what we call a supplement which would include anything in addition to the initial estimate that would be required to return the vehicle to its pre accident condition. Once we have a solidrepair plan including any additional repair time, parts, or required procedures, we send this information to the insurance company right away along with supporting photos.

Vehicles often come to our shop with an initial estimate provided by their insurance company, most of these estimates are written based off photos that were sent to them by the customer or sometimes from an adjuster who has looked at the vehicle already. Once the vehicle is in our shop, we identify everything that has already been approved by the insurance company, then we disassemble the vehicle and look for additional damage beyond what has already been identified. Anything that is discovered during this time becomes a supplement to the initial approved estimate. Some of the common things we find are broken or damaged parts, damage that was hidden prior to the vehicle being disassembled and recalibration of electronic and safety components that must be checked before a vehicle is safe to drive. We always provide plenty of photos and documentation for anything requested on a supplement so that your insurance company can easily approve it and keep the repair moving forward.