Services & Repair Process
Q: What types of services do you offer?
A: We specialize in dent removal, body work and collision repair and paint refinishing backed by a lifetime warranty. We do not do mechanical repairs. If there is mechanical/suspension damage related to an accident, we will sublet those repairs, and it will be included in the estimate for the insurance company.
Q: Will you pick up my vehicle if I can’t bring it in?
A: If the vehicle is non-drivable, we can assist with getting the vehicle towed to our shop. If assistance is needed with pickup or transportation on the repair date or repair completion, we can assist with that.
Q: What should I bring with me for my estimate?
A: Bring any information you have from the insurance company. Name of insurance company, adjuster’s name, phone number, email address and claim number. We cannot file a claim. The insurance companies will not talk to us before a claim has been started. We can help email estimates and photos after the claim has been established and an adjuster has been assigned to the claim.
Q: Do you provide estimates before work begins?
A: Yes. We offer free, detailed estimates so you understand the scope of work before repairs start. If your insurance company has written an estimate or asked you to complete a photo estimate, we MUST use that estimate as our starting point. Any additional damage found from the accident that is not included in the insurance estimate will be submitted in as supplemental damages. In order to save you time, we do not need to write a separate estimate if the insurance company has written theirs. However, it is always a good idea to have us look at your vehicle to verify the damages on their estimate. That being said, the insurance company will not change or modify their estimate until repairs have started.
Q: What do I do after the estimate is written?
A: The estimate will need to be submitted to the insurance company. There are a few different avenues to this based on the insurance company. You, the customer, submits the estimate to insurance. Some insurance companies have Modern Auto Body email the estimate and photos. Some insurance companies will send us claim information (assignment) through our estimating software, then we attach the estimate and photos to the assignment and upload the information directly to them.
Q: When are you able to start repairs?
A: We cannot start repairs until the insurance company has approved the repair.
Q: How long will my repairs take?
A: Repair time depends on the extent of the damage, parts availability, wheel alignments, safety feature calibration and insurance processing. We’ll give you an estimate and keep you updated throughout the process.
Q: What if additional damage is found after you start repairs?
A: Any additional damage found will be added to the estimate in the form of a supplement to be sent to the insurance company. We write everything we can visually see on our estimates. Due to the complexity of vehicle construction, there is a reasonable chance, depending on severity of damage, that additional damage will be found upon disassembly. We try our very best not to have surprises, however they do occur, and we will notify you as soon as possible.
Q: I have rust bubbling or showing on my vehicle, can it be repaired?
A: 99.9% of the time, rust cannot be repaired and requires full panel replacement. Unfortunately, the rust that we typically find on vehicles starts on the backside of the panel and eats its way out from the inside. Mud, leaves and moisture sit on the backside and eat away at the metal. With that, there are multiple tiny holes (or large), and any repair attempt will fail with 100% certainty. If those holes are covered with body filler, water will push through the holes, into the body filler and bubble the paint – often in less than a month. We will not weld a metal patch over the rusted area, as it is not a viable repair. Rust will form on the seam of the welded patch. Anything less than full panel replacement will not work, and we feel it is not right to take a customer’s money for a repair that will not last.
Insurance & Claims
Q: Do you work with insurance companies?
A: Yes – We can help with your insurance claim paperwork and coordinate directly with your insurer. Keep in mind that the auto body shop you work with is always your choice even if your insurer suggests others.
Q: Will my insurance pay for all repairs?
A: Coverage depends on your policy. You are responsible for your deductible, and some costs not covered by insurance. We can help explain these details. One interesting item that we are running across is Minnesota allows consumers to carry as little as $10,000 in collision coverage. With the complexity of cars, safety features and OEM repair requirements, it is not uncommon for the expense of repairs to exceed $10,000.
Q: The other party that hit me wants to pay out of pocket instead of filing a claim, is this ok?
A: In general, yes, it is ok. The vast majority of people will do the right thing and pay for the damage. However, we will not release a vehicle after the repair is complete until it is paid in full. We strongly suggest that you get paid by the at-fault party before starting the repair. That way, if the at-fault party doesn’t follow through, you can submit a claim to their insurance company.
Customer Experience
Q: Do you offer rental car assistance?
A: Almost exclusively, insurance companies have removed body shops from assisting with reserving a rental car or letting the rental company know the repair date. The insurance company will send the claim/rental information directly to the rental facility. The customer must call the rental company to let them know the repair date.
Q: How will I know the status of my repair?
A: We communicate throughout the repair process and keep you updated on progress and timelines by sending text messages or email updates.
Warranty & Quality
Q: Do you warranty your work?
A: Yes – We provide a lifetime warranty on both bodywork and paint finish of your vehicle for the life of your vehicle or as long as you own the vehicle, whichever is less.
Q: Are your technicians certified?
A: Our technicians are I-CAR or ASE certified, and the shop is recognized as a Gold Class® Collision Repair Business, showing ongoing training and quality commitment.
Q: What is a Gold Class shop?
A: As a Gold Class shop, we require each of our technicians involved in collision repair to take ongoing training every year. This includes classes on new vehicle technologies and the latest repair techniques. Modern Auto Body is among only 10 percent of collision repair businesses to achieve Gold Class status.
Paint & Parts Questions
Q: How do you ensure the paint matches my vehicle?
A: We use a computerized paint-mixing system and quality Sikkens paint, so the repaired sections blend seamlessly with the rest of the vehicle.
Q: Will you use OEM (original) parts or aftermarket parts?
A: Most insurance policies have language stating aftermarket, remanufactured and used (the insurance term is LKQ, short for Like, Kind and Quality) parts are what they will pay for. Having signed that policy, there isn’t much a policy holder can do to demand OEM parts. We do our best to utilize our resources to attain OEM parts when possible.