What collision repair covers, how the work is done, and your rights with insurance in New York, including the right to choose your own shop.
After an accident, the repair decides whether the car is safe again, not only whether it looks right. Here is what collision repair involves, how it usually goes, and how insurance fits in under New York law.
What collision repair covers
Collision repair is everything that brings a car back to how it was before an accident. Some damage is structural: the frame, the suspension, the mounting points that hold the car's safety systems in place. Some is cosmetic: dents, scratches, paint and trim. Some is both, like a bumper that hides a bent reinforcement behind it.
- Frame straightening and structural repairs
- Panel repair or replacement: bumpers, fenders, doors, hood
- Paint matching and refinishing
- Dent and scratch removal
- Glass replacement
Why the hidden damage matters
Airbags, seat belts and crumple zones are designed around the car's original structure. If the frame or a mounting point is bent, they may not work as designed in the next accident, even when the car looks fine. A proper repair starts by measuring the structure, not just looking at the paint.
How the repair goes
- Inspection and estimate: the car is checked for structural, cosmetic and mechanical damage, and the repair is written up part by part.
- Insurance: if there is a claim, the estimate goes to the insurer, which may send its own appraiser.
- Repair: parts are straightened, repaired or replaced, then primed and painted to match.
- Final check: the car is inspected again, and you get a written record of the work.
Damage found once panels come off, such as a cracked bracket behind a bumper, is added to the claim as a supplement. It is normal, and it is better found in the shop than on the road.
Insurance and your choice of shop
New York's Insurance Law (section 2610) protects drivers here:
- Your insurer cannot require that the car be repaired at a particular shop.
- It may not recommend a shop unless you ask it to (claims for glass alone are an exception).
- The insurer's estimate must come with a written notice, in print at least 12-point, that you may use the shop of your choice.
We repair cars under insurance claims and work with all major insurance companies.
What to bring
- Your insurance claim number, if you have one
- Photos of the damage, taken as soon after the accident as you could
- The police or accident report number, if a report was made
Collision repair at S.R. Auto
Our shop at 300 McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint has been repairing cars since 1998. If the car can't be driven, our tow truck can bring it straight to us. Call (718) 349-9742 or stop by Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM for an estimate.
