Document Everything Before You Move Anything.
Right after a collision: check for injuries first, then move to safety if the vehicle is drivable. Before you do anything else, photograph the damage, the other vehicle, and the scene from a few angles. Exchange insurance information, but avoid discussing fault at the scene, that's for the adjusters to sort out. Call your insurer to open a claim, then bring the car in for a written estimate before any repair work starts.
Your Adjuster Talks to Us, Not Just You.
Most people don't realize how much of a collision claim happens between the shop and the insurance company directly. A written estimate goes to your adjuster, they approve or negotiate the scope, parts get ordered, and the repair timeline gets set once everything's confirmed. Shops that handle this communication directly usually save customers from becoming the middleman in their own claim.
Not Every Dent Needs Paint.
Paintless dent repair works when the paint itself is undamaged and the panel is accessible from behind, a technician massages the metal back to shape without touching the factory finish. It's faster and less expensive than a full repaint. Once the paint is cracked, creased, or the damage involves a body line or structural panel, traditional bodywork and refinishing is the only way to do it correctly.