Auto body repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What auto body repair is

A body shop repairs collision damage by straightening the panels, replacing parts, filling, sanding, priming and painting to match the original finish. You need it after an accident, a hit in a parking lot, or any damage that bends or cracks a panel.

Signs you need it

  • A panel is bent, cracked or pushed in after a collision
  • The paint is scraped or chipped down to the metal or primer
  • A door, hood or bumper does not line up or close properly
  • Water or dirt gets inside the car through a damaged panel or seal
  • An insurance adjuster or a shop has written a damage report for the car

What the pro does

  • Inspects the damage, including hidden damage to brackets, sensors and the frame
  • Removes trim and damaged parts, then straightens the metal where possible
  • Replaces panels or parts that cannot be repaired
  • Fills, sands and primes the repaired areas
  • Paints and blends the finish, then checks the color and fit

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size of the damage and the number of panels involved
  • Whether the damage is on a panel that can be straightened or must be replaced
  • Whether the car has sensors, cameras or structural parts that need calibration
  • The paint color and finish, including pearl, metallic or tri coat
  • Whether the car is aluminum or a material that needs special tools
  • Whether a rental car or a timeline is required for the work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each panel repaired or replaced, and the reason for the choice
  • The paint color code and the finish type
  • Labor for straightening, filling, painting and blending
  • Parts and whether they are new, aftermarket or used
  • Any sensor or camera calibration after the repair

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you repairing or replacing each panel, and why?
  • Will you check for hidden damage before you finalize the estimate?
  • Do you use parts that match my car's original specifications?
  • Will the paint match in the light and from every angle?
  • Do you calibrate sensors or cameras after the repair?
  • What warranty do you give on the paint and the repair?

Red flags

  • Writes an estimate without inspecting the car on a lift or in the bay
  • Says a panel must be replaced without showing the damage
  • Will not put the paint color code and finish type in writing
  • Asks for cash or payment outside the written estimate

What you can do yourself

You can document the damage with photos from every side, note the date and location, and get written estimates before you approve work. Do not try to straighten a frame, remove airbag components or repaint structural parts yourself. Call a body shop for any collision damage that involves the frame, airbags or sensors.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for auto body repair, but some areas require shop registration or inspection related rules. Check with your state or local licensing agency and ask the shop to show any registration it holds.

Auto body repair questions

How do I know if the frame is damaged?

Ask the shop to measure the car against the manufacturer's dimensions. Frame or structural damage often needs specialized equipment to repair.

Can I choose my own shop when an insurer is involved?

In many places you can, but insurer programs and local rules differ. Ask your insurer how choosing a shop works before you decide, and get written estimates from the shop you pick.

Will the color match the rest of the car?

A good shop matches the paint with the color code and blends it into neighboring panels so the difference is hard to see.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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