After an accident, the questions come fast. What do I do first? Who do I call? How does insurance work? How long will this take? We have answered the most common ones here. If yours is not on this list, call any of our four Twin Cities locations and we will walk you through it.
That’s up to you — there’s no wrong first move. You’re not required to contact your insurance company before getting an estimate, so whether you’ve already filed a claim or you’re just getting started, we’re glad to walk you through the first steps and answer any questions along the way.
It depends on the extent of the damage. If airbags deployed, if there is visible structural damage, if any fluids are leaking, or if the vehicle handles differently than normal, it should not be driven. When in doubt, call us and we can help assess the situation. Towing is available if your vehicle cannot be safely driven to our shop.
Collect the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance company, and policy number. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Photograph the damage to all vehicles, the surrounding area, and any relevant road conditions or signage. File a police report if one is required in your situation. All of this helps when the claim is filed.
As soon as it is safe to do so. Some damage that looks minor on the surface can affect structural components, alignment, or safety systems underneath. The sooner we can assess the full scope of the damage, the sooner we can help you understand your options and begin coordinating repairs.
You have the right to choose your own repair shop. Your insurance company may recommend shops from their preferred network, but the choice belongs to you. Choosing a shop with the right certifications and repair standards for your vehicle is worth paying attention to, regardless of what your insurer recommends.
We work directly with your insurance company and assist you through the process from start to finish. After your initial estimate, we communicate with your insurer, coordinate repair authorization, and keep the process moving. You do not have to manage the back-and-forth on your own. We handle it alongside you.
It starts with an initial call and estimate. Once we have a full picture of the damage, we walk you through the repair plan and coordinate with your insurance company if you are filing a claim. After authorization, we schedule drop-off, order parts, complete the repair in stages with quality checkpoints throughout, and do a final review before you pick up your vehicle. At delivery we walk through the completed work with you.
All four Collision Center 1 auto body locations use PPG Envirobase High Performance waterborne paint. It is one of the leading paint systems in the collision repair industry, known for precise color matching and a finish that holds up over time.
Waterborne paint uses water as the primary carrier instead of chemical solvents. It produces significantly lower VOC emissions during application, which is better for the technicians working with it and for the environment. It also delivers exceptional color accuracy. All four of our auto body locations use it as standard.
Paintless dent repair is a method of removing minor dents and dings from a vehicle’s body panels without sanding, filling, or repainting. When the paint is intact and the damage has not stretched the metal beyond repair, PDR restores the panel to its original shape while preserving the factory finish. All four Collision Center 1 auto body locations offer PDR.
We start with a thorough assessment of the full extent of the hail damage across the entire vehicle, not just the obvious areas. Depending on the severity and location of each impact, we determine whether PDR, conventional repair, or a combination of both is the right approach. We work directly with your insurance company to document and process the claim.
Yes. Auto glass repair and replacement is handled in-house at our locations. You do not need to coordinate a separate vendor. We assess the damage and determine whether a repair or a full replacement is the right solution.
Yes. We help coordinate rental vehicles for customers who need one during their repair. When you drop off your vehicle, let us know you need a rental and we will help get that set up.
Every repair at Collision Center 1 follows OEM-specified repair procedures for the vehicle being worked on. Our technicians hold I-CAR Gold and I-CAR Platinum certifications across all four auto body locations. Before your vehicle is returned to you, it goes through a final quality inspection. And all work is backed by our limited lifetime warranty on workmanship and paint.
OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. When a shop holds an OEM certification for a specific vehicle brand, it means that shop has met the manufacturer’s requirements for tools, training, and repair procedures for that make. Certified shops have access to the manufacturer’s repair documentation and follow the procedures the vehicle was designed to require. Not every shop holds these certifications.
OEM certifications vary by location. Hopkins Auto Body 1 is certified for Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Fiat. Collision Center 1 Golden Valley is certified for Honda, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, Hyundai, Kia, Cadillac, and Volvo. Ed’s Collision 1 is certified for Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Subaru, GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, Hummer, Cadillac, Ford, and Lincoln. Collision Center 1 Prior Lake does not currently hold OEM certifications but follows OEM repair procedures and employs I-CAR Gold certified technicians.
