Industry Standard, Guaranteed!

We offer a wide range of services, including but not limited to full scope auto body repair, painting, specialty repair such as aluminum, fiberglass, and frame, windshield & glass replacement, spray-in bedliners, and vehicle diagnostics. We also offer limited restoration services; please inquire for more details.

Yes, we work with all major insurance companies. Please see the other FAQs concerning various steps of the insurance claims and repair process for more information. 

The cost of repairs depends on a variety of factors, including the extent of the damage, the parts and materials to be used, the labor required to complete the repairs, and what your insurance company agrees to cover. We will always provide our customers with transparent pricing information and will prepare an itemized repair plan and associated final bill for you and/or your insurance company.

Often times, hidden damages are discovered upon disassembly and blueprinting of the repair, as many components of a vehicle are hidden from view until outer coverings are removed (i.e. an impact bar may be damaged from a collision, which will be identified when the front bumper cover is removed). When this happens, we will inform you and/or your insurance company, take photos, and proceed with the repair only when you and/or your insurance company approve the additional parts, labor, materials, and procedures.

Yes, we stand behind our work with a warranty on all workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle as long as quality parts are approved for us to use. Please see the FAQ concerning part types for more information.

If you experience any issues or concerns with your repairs, simply call us and schedule a time to bring your vehicle back and we'll make it right.

We do not offer towing and recovery services; however, Campbell Towing & Recovery, a completely separate and unrelated business located across the street from us, does and will likely be happy to assist you. Their phone number is 919-898-4913.

Safety and Wellbeing

First and foremost is the safety and wellbeing of you and everyone involved in the collision. Remain calm and ensure all parties are okay and call emergency services if needed. If possible, move away from the road and the vehicle(s) and wait for emergency services to arrive. Do not attempt to remove debris or otherwise disturb the scene, as emergency services and insurance companies will need to know the facts as they are in order to proceed.

Information Collection

It is recommended to obtain a police report if the collision involves another driver. This will assist your and/or the other driver's insurance companies on determining liability. Exchange insurance information if applicable. Take photos for evidence if possible. Remain calm during this process and have police assist you if you are feeling unsafe.

Insurance Claim

It is recommended that you file an insurance claim with your or the other party's insurance company depending on who is determined to be at fault, as repairs are often quite expensive to the average person. Obtaining a police report will assist your and/or the other party's insurance company in determining liability if applicable. When the claim is filed and accepted, an insurnace company will provide a claim number; this is key for the repair facility to work with the insurance company and complete repairs. Please keep track of this number and provide it to the repair facility.

It is EXTREMELY important to know and understand your rights. You have the right to have your vehicle repaired at ANY repair facility of YOUR choice. An insurance company CANNOT force you to have your vehicle repaired at any specific repair facility. You also do not have to obtain more than ONE estimate unless you desire to do so. An insurance company may suggest "in network" or "recommend" repair facilities, however they cannot force you to go to any specific place. In fact, it is illegal for an insurance company to "steer" you to one of their "preferred" repair facilities. They can suggest and recommend, however the decision lies with you. 

With this, it is highly recommended that you research repair facilities and select the one that you feel most comfortable with. Repair facilities that are "in network" with an insurance company are usually in a contract with the insurance company, often called a DRP (direct repair program). This means the repair facility has agreed on certain terms and conditions with the insurance company in hopes to bring in more business while the insurance company saves money. We are not a DRP for any insurance company, as we work for YOU, not the insurance company. Above all, even if you do not select us to handle your repairs, we want you to know your rights and are happy to inform you of them.

Depending on the insurance company if applicable, the estimating and repair planning process can proceed multiple different ways. Remember, you are not required to get more than ONE estimate unless you so choose. Please see the FAQ regarding estimate differences for additional information.

The insurance company may send out an adjuster. The adjuster will write an initial estimate and should provide you with a copy of it. Simply bring this copy and your claim number to the repair facility of YOUR choice and provide it to them. The repair facility will take it from there and schedule your repair. 

The insurance company may request you send in photos of your vehicle and the damages. This is usually accomplished through email or they may require you to download an app on a smartphone to upload photos. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, we are more than happy to assist. The insurance company will then prepare an initial estimate and should provide you a copy of it. Simply bring this copy and your claim number to the repair facility of YOUR choice and provide it to them. The repair facility will take it from there and schedule your repair. 

The insurance company may wish for a repair facility to write the initial estimate. Simply schedule a time with the repair facility of YOUR choice and bring your vehicle and claim number for them to write the initial estimate. They will then transmit it to the insurance company and, once the repairs are approved, schedule your repair. 

If your vehicle is not drivable and the insurnace company wants the repair facility to write the initial estimate, inform the insurance company that you will need the vehicle towed to the repair facility of YOUR choice. Contact the repair facility to let them know and provide them with all the information you have and they will take it from there. Please see the FAQ on towing should you need this service.

Keep in mind, an estimate is an estimated total cost of repairs. It is very likely additional parts, labor, materials, and procedures will be required to complete the repair, which will be discovered in the disassembly and blueprinting process. Please see the FAQ on additional damages for more information.

Depending on the insurance company and/or repair facilities, initial estimates may vary a great deal. 

If an initial estimate is written based off of photos sent to an insurance company, they may not be able to see all damages that require addressing. The repair facility will identify all related and unrelated damages during the disassembly and blueprinting process and will work with you and/or your insurance company to address them.

If an initial estimate is written by an in-person adjuster, they may not be able to identify all parts, labor, materials, and procedures that will be required for a complete repair at that time. The repair facility will identify all related and unrelated damages during the disassembly and blueprinting process and will work with you and/or your insurance company to address them.

If you obtain multiple estimates from different repair facilities, differences could be based on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to rates, parts selected for use, and materials costs. When reviewing an estimate from a repair facility, ask them to go over it with you in detail, line by line. Ask questions about any items you are unsure about. If one estimate is lower than another, ask yourself why it is so. Is the less expensive estimate written using alternative parts? Are corners being cut to save on costs that will cause problems in the future? Remember, cheap is almost never best. We always write our estimates with all visible and likely damages listed so that we can provide the best possible estimate for the final total cost of repairs. If additional damage is discovered, we will inform and work with you and/or your insurance company to continue with repairs.

When an initial estimate is accepted by an insurance company, be it one they wrote or a repair facility wrote, there will almost always be a payment issued for the amount listed on the initial estimate, less any deductibles. This could be made out to you, you and your repair facility of choice, or just the repair facility. Your repair facility will need to collect this payment when your repairs are completed and your vehicle is ready for pickup. 

Do not worry if this initial payment seems low or is different from what a repair facility wrote. Accepting this payment is NOT a settlement. Your repair facility will work with the insurance company to obtain additional monies required for a complete repair.

Following disassembly, the repair facility will fully blueprint the repair. The blueprinting process involves identifying any hidden damages previously impossible to see prior to disassembly. Following identification, the repair facility will create what is known as a supplement or updated repair plan and list parts, labor, materials, and manufacturer-required procedures that are necessary to restore the vehicle to a pre-collision condition. This includes identifying and performing key safety-related tasks that are outlined by the vehicle's manufacturer, which will be listed on the final updated repair plan/supplement.

Depending on the insurance company, the repair facility will likely be required to send photos of additional damages to the insurance company. They will then have to wait until the insurance company approves the additional parts, labor, materials, and procedures required and only then can proceed with the repair. 

Insurance company supplement payments almost always come directly to the repair facility; however, should you receive a second payment from the insurance company, please inform the repair facility, as they will need to collect this upon completion of the repair. You may also be required to sign a supplement payment and/or an initial payment. The repair facility may ask you to fill out a direction to pay form to prevent you from having to come back and sign a supplement payment in the future.

A deductible is the portion of the repair bill that you are required to remit to the repair facility at the conclusion of your repair. This is an amount you agreed upon when you purchased and signed your insurance policy. Deductibles typically range from $0 - $1000, though they may vary per insurance company and policy. Your repair facility will require this from you to cover the full cost of repairs.

The length of time it takes to repair your vehicle depends on the extent of the damage, the specific repairs needed, the insurance company's specific processes and procedures which vary greatly depending on the company involved, and parts availability. Please feel free to contact us during business hours for updates.

Of note, if additional damages are discovered upon blueprinting, the repair facility will inform you and/or your insurance company by way of supplement. They will then be required to wait until approval from you and/or the insurance company is received. Only then can the repair facility order approved parts and/or proceed with the repairs. These parts may take time to arrive to the repair facility. In the meantime, the repair facility will proceed with all approved repairs they can until the parts arrive, at which point they will proceed with completion of the repair.

There are different types, i.e. quality, of parts available for repairs. Please see below for a brief description, however feel free to contact us during business hours for a greater and more in-depth explanation.

• Original Equipment from the Manufacturer (OEM) - The best option and highest quality parts available for use. These parts were designed and manufactured by the same company that built your vehicle, i.e. if your Ford needs a hood replaced, it will come directly from Ford and be brand new. We write all of our initial estimates using OEM parts and only use non-OEM parts when approved by you and your insurance company. These parts are almost always the most expensive, however they are warrantied by the manufacturer and will allow us to provide our warranty and guarantee on workmanship.

• Aftermarket (A/M) - Supposedly identical in form and quality, these parts are NOT made by the manufacturer of your vehicle. They are made by a third-party company that has copied the design of the OEM part. They are typically less expensive than OEM parts, however they may not provide the best form, fit, and function you likely desire for your repair. CAPA certified and Platinum Plus A/M parts are best. Value Line (cheapest of the cheap) A/M parts will almost never fit right and will likely require additional labor to modify and make fit. Therefore, using Value Line A/M parts usually negates any cost savings when using these parts and will NOT allow us to extend any warranty or guarantee on workmanship.

• Salvaged (LKQ, i.e. "Like, Kind, and Quality") - These parts come from vehicles in a salvage (junk) yard that are reusable. While this may seem like an attractive cost-savings option at first, there is risk involved. Often times, these parts come in with damage that must be corrected prior to their use in the repair. You also do not know exactly what you are getting until the part arrives and is inspected. The part could also be damaged in the removal and transit process, requiring additional labor and materials to correct before use in the repair. We will be able to extend warrantied and guaranteed workmanship to vehicles repaired using these parts, but only after careful inspection and correction of any damages to these parts is agreed upon and added to the final total cost of repairs.

Insurance companies often decide to pay for A/M or LKQ parts to save on repair costs, however there are concers associated with this as detailed in the previous FAQ. Sometimes, the customer can contact the insurance company and discuss their dissatisfaction with these parts and come to an agreement to use OEM parts, especially if you are deemed not at fault; however, this does not always work and the insurance company will only pay for the costs of A/M or LKQ parts. In this case, you should work with the repair facility to determine the additional costs associated with using OEM parts instead. 

We realize this can be expensive and aggrivating, however we are committed to being open, honest, and transparent about what is going into your repair. We will also attempt to price match for OEM parts with our manufacturer vendors for each repair, though our attempts are not always successful. Please contact us for more detailed information.

It is not recommended to purchase parts and have a repair facility paint and/or install them. 

Many vehicles have multiple options for parts, for example halogen vs. HID headlights. If you do not select the correct parts, they will not work with your vehicle and the parts may not be returnable. 

If you purchase new OEM parts, the price you pay for the parts will almost always be the same price that you will pay the repair facility if they purchase them for you. 

If you purchase A/M or LKQ parts, they may not be of high enough quality to guarantee a correct and warrantied repair. Also, these parts may require modification or correction prior to their installation, which will negate any savings you may have noted.

If you are going to file an insurance claim, in most cases the insurance company will only approve certain parts from certain vendors. If you purchase these parts on your own, the insurance company will likely not cover the total cost of repairs, as they may approve A/M or LKQ parts instead of OEM. 

In any case, it is best to trust your repair facility with selection and acquisition of parts that will be necessary for your repair. Please contact us if you have additional questions or would like us to obtain a part for you.

Depending on the insurance company and their own internal policies and/or the clauses listed on your policy, an insurance company may deny to cover the full cost of repairs. This happens when they deem they will only pay a certain amount for labor, procedures, paint/clear coat materials, and various other items that are required for a proper, safe, and complete repair, despite what the repair facility has listed on their final bill. Of note, we provide extensive photo evidence and documentation of all parts, labor, procedures, and materials required for the complete repair to the insurance company. Everything that is required will be listed on the final bill and we have industry standard documentation to prove their necessity.

If an insurance company does "short pay" this final bill, you may remit payment to the repair facility for the amount shorted or you may choose to contact the insurance company and attempt to resolve the dispute. We will work with you and prep you for the conversation you will likely experience if you choose this option, as there are points that need to be stressed and certain tactics the insurance company may try to use against you and the repair facility. 

Please contact us for additional information on this matter.

If you are determined to be not at fault, the indemnifying insurance company should be required to cover a rental vehicle for you while your vehicle is being repaired. You will need to work with the assigned adjuster to set up your rental vehicle, as insurance handles all rental vehicles, not the repair facility.

If you are filing an insurance claim with your own insurance company, your insurance policy will dictate rental vehicle coverage. You will need to work with your adjuster to set up the rental vehicle. Typically, insurance policies state a dollar amount limit for coverage, i.e. $1500 for example. They will pay for the rental vehicle until that set dollar amount is exhausted, at which point you will be responsible for covering the additional costs.  

As an example, if your policy states you have a $1500 limit on rental and you get a rental vehicle that costs $50/calendar day, the rental vehicle will be covered for 30 days. For this reason, we recommend having enough coverage for at least 60 days of rental vehicle access, as the repair procedure can often be extended through insurance company delays and backordered parts. Contact your insurance agent for questions on coverage.

There are three main types of auto insurance. It is highly recommended you know and understand what your insurance policy that you have purchased actually covers. You will need to contact your insurance agent and ask them to give you the full breakdown of your policy's coverage clauses if you are unsure.

Liability coverage is the bare minimum coverage you are legally required to have. This insurance will be used to cover only damages to another person's vehicle if you are determined to be at fault. In North Carolina, the minimum property damage coverage has been $25,000 for some time. With this, if you only carry liability insurance and you damage another person's vehicle and the damages are greater than $25,000, you could be subject to a lawsuit to cover the remaining balance. For this reason, we do not recommend having only the bare minimum. 

Comprehensive coverage is designed to cover damages that are not your fault and also not the fault of another driver. Examples typically include animal hits, vandalism, hail damage, fire, etc. 

Collision coverage is designed to cover damages to your vehicle that are determined by your insurance company to be your fault. The total coverage amounts vary per policy and your insurance agent will be able to work with you to determine the amount of coverage you need. Remember, it is better to be over-insured than underinsured. 

Other types of auto insurance that exist include, but are not limited to, underinsured motorist, uninsured motorist, and flood insurance. Please contact your insurance agent to inquire about these coverages.

Finally, some insurance companies offer certain add-ons, riders, or markers for your vehicle. The primary example is an OEM parts riders, which means for an extra monthly fee, your insurance company will be required to pay for new OEM parts in the event you need a repair. Please inquire with us and your insurance agent on the value of extra coverage.

A vehicle is declared a total loss when the insurance company compares the value of the vehicle in its pre-collision condition to the estimated or supplemental total cost of repairs and determines that the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds a set threshold of the total value of the vehicle. Typically, most insurance companies use 75% as the threshold, so if they determine your vehicle is worth $10,000 and the estimated cost to repair is close to, at, or above $7,500, they may deem the vehicle a total loss. Factors in an insurance company's valuation of your vehicle may include, but are not limited to, vehicle year, make, model, and trim level, vehicle condition, and mileage. 

If your vehicle is declared a total loss by the insurance company, you typically have two options:

• Negotiate with the insurance company on the value of your vehicle and settle for an amount they will pay you for it. If your vehicle is at a repair facility, you will need to go to the repair facility and clean out your vehicle, take your license plate, and sign release paperwork. The insurance company will then send a tow truck to take the vehicle away and will pay the repair facility for all charges incurred.

• Retain the vehicle for a reduced payout from the insurance company and have a repair facility repair the vehicle. 

We DO NOT recommend retaining a vehicle determined to be a total loss by an insurance company. There are many reasons we do not recommend this. Please contact us if you would like us to go over the reasons in detail with you. 

We do not repair vehicles that have been determined to be a total loss by an insurance company. Please contact us if you would like us to go over the reasons in detail with you.

We understand it can be frustrating to be without your vehicle while it is at a repair facility for repairs. For this reason, we recommend having rental vehicle coverage; please see the FAQ on rental for more information. 

When your vehicle is being repaired, it goes through disassembly, which means it will not be drivable. Many components will not function when a vehicle is disassembled and we cannot release a vehicle that is unsafe to drive. We also cannot reassemble a vehicle until it is ready to be reassembled with all replacement parts and repairs installed and completed. Please understand we are moving as fast as we can to return your vehicle to you as soon as possible. We do not deposit any monies payed to us for repairs until the repairs are completed, so we of course want to be as fast as humanly possible.

Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions you may have. 

If you have an insurance question concerning the insurance claims and/or repair process, we will provide information to the best of our ability, however your insurance agent is the best point of contact for those questions.