Working with Insurance
What you need to know about getting your vehicle repaired through insurance.
If you've been in an accident, dealing with insurance can feel overwhelming. We're here to help make the process as smooth as possible. Here's what to expect — and what’s changed in recent years.
Insurance Doesn’t Always Cover Everything
We want to be upfront with you: insurance companies often do not pay our full labor rates. That means there can be a gap between what they approve and what it actually takes to restore your vehicle properly. We’re committed to doing the job right — even if it means negotiating with your insurer on your behalf. But before scheduling your repair, you’ll want to check your policy and understand what your estimated total out-of-pocket expenses will be.
The Estimating Process Has Changed
It used to be that you could visit a few shops, get a few quotes, and the insurance company would pick the lowest
That’s not how it works anymore.
Today, most insurance companies prefer to control the estimating process. Here’s how:
Adjuster Estimates: An adjuster may come to inspect the vehicle and write an estimate.
DRP Shops: You might be told to visit a “Direct Repair Program” shop that works directly with the insurer.
Photo & AI Estimates: Increasingly, companies ask you to submit photos. An AI then creates a quick estimate — sometimes without anyone ever seeing the car in person.
Because of this, it’s usually not necessary (or helpful) for us to write our own estimate until your insurance company instructs you to get one.
When We Can Begin Repairs
Once your insurance company has approved an estimate, we can move forward with scheduling. Here's how it works:
Vehicle Drop-Off: Once your vehicle arrives at our shop, we do a full teardown to uncover any hidden damage.
Blueprinting: We build a detailed repair plan that goes beyond the surface-level estimate.
Supplements: Almost every repair needs a supplement — an additional claim for damage not included in the original estimate. We submit this directly to the insurer for approval.
Signing a Direction of Pay (DOP)
To make the process easier, we’ll ask you to sign an Authorization of Direction of Pay (DOP) when your vehicle is dropped off. This allows us to work directly with your insurance company for payment and supplement approvals — saving you time and reducing hassle.
Sometimes, your insurance provider will send the first payment directly to you once the initial estimate is approved. That payment is intended to go toward the cost of your repairs, and you’ll need to bring it (or endorse it) when you bring your vehicle in.
Signing a DOP ensures we can handle all billing and communication with your insurer — and lets you focus on getting back on the road.
Our Commitment to You
We don’t cut corners. We don’t rush repairs to meet insurance timelines. We work for you, not your insurance company — and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
💬 Questions about your insurance claim? Not sure what your estimate covers?
We’ll walk you through it, no pressure. Just give us a call or contact us by using the form below.
