Frequently Asked Questions (Extended)

First, make sure everyone is safe. Move your vehicle to a secure location if possible. Call the police if needed, take photos of the damage, exchange insurance details, and contact Starnes Collision Center right away for a free collision repair estimate.

Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular repair facility. You have the right to choose your repair shop which we hope you choose to work with us.

No. You have the legal right to choose your auto body shop. At Starnes Collision Center in Charlotte NC, we handle the entire process—our team works directly with your insurance company to speed up repairs.

In most cases, one detailed estimate from a trusted shop is enough. We provide accurate, written estimates that meet insurance requirements—saving you time and avoiding lowball quotes.

Yes, we value your time and ours! Estimate appointments allow us to give you our 100% focus. It allows us to meet you in person and answer any questions regarding your repairs.

If you have an insurance estimate, please provide it. You’ll sign an Authorization to Repair form detailing the process. You’ll also confirm if you’ve received any insurance payments. Usually, the first payment is sent to you, which you can endorse to us when dropping off your car or deposit and pay us afterward. Often, checks are made out to both you and the repair shop and require signatures from both to be cashed.

We perform a thorough inspection, explain the repair plan, handle insurance communication, and if your policy allows, arrange a rental car. Our goal is to make the process stress-free from start to finish.

Initial inspections may miss hidden damages. If we find more issues during repairs, we'll contact your insurance for authorization on supplemental damages and inform you before proceeding.

Repair time depends on the damage. Small dents or scratches can be fixed in days, while frame repair or structural work may take weeks. We give you a realistic timeline upfront and keep you updated.

Not necessarily.

Frame damage is a fairly common occurrence after a collision, and thanks to modern equipment and repair techniques, most collision repair shops are able to properly repair even badly damaged frames.

Whether or not your car is going to be totaled really depends more on the overall value of your car.

Yes. If your insurance policy covers a rental, we coordinate it for you. Our Charlotte NC location works with major rental providers so you can stay on the road during repairs.

We use OEM parts, follow manufacturer repair guidelines, and back our work with a lifetime warranty. Our certified technicians deliver top-quality auto body and collision repairs with honesty and precision.ription

Our lifetime warranty covers all repairs we perform for as long as you own your vehicle.

At STARNES we detail every car as part of our Repair Process. We return your car washed, vacuumed, clean and we even disinfect the interior.

Our Repair Process