Your repair questions, answered.

Check for injuries and call 911 if emergency assistance is needed. When it is safe, move out of traffic, exchange contact and insurance details, and photograph the vehicles and surrounding scene. Collect witness information if available. Follow any instructions from responding officers. For reporting requirements, see Washington’s collision-reporting guidance.

A vehicle that starts and moves may still have hidden damage. Do not drive if there are fluid leaks, damaged tires, loose panels, warning lights, or changes in steering or braking. If you are unsure, arrange a tow rather than trying to assess roadworthiness from photos. For an EV, do not touch exposed high-voltage cables or damaged battery components.

Call our shop during business hours to discuss delivery. We recommend Hubie’s Towing at (206) 529-7321. For an after-hours tow, ask Hubie’s about overnight storage and transfer to Pacific Auto Body on the next business day. Confirm availability, destination, charges, and any insurance coverage directly with the towing provider. Tell them if your vehicle is electric so they can follow its transport requirements.

Use our Start a Repair Request form to share your contact information, vehicle details, damage description, and photos. A VIN is helpful but optional. Our team will review your submission and follow up by phone or email about additional information or an inspection. We aim to respond within one business day during shop hours. Submitting the form does not authorize repairs or reserve a repair date.

Include each corner of the vehicle, wider views of the damaged area, and close-ups. Attach 1–10 JPG/JPEG, PNG, or WebP files, up to 10 MB each. Convert HEIC/HEIF photos before uploading. Photo-based estimates are preliminary: an inspection and disassembly may reveal damage that photos cannot show. Read our Privacy Policy for information about your submission.

Notify your insurer promptly and ask what information and inspections it needs. Once a claim has been opened, share the claim number, insurer, adjuster’s contact information, and any existing estimate with our team. If you are working with another driver’s insurer, confirm whether it has accepted liability and authorized payment. You can contact us while those details are being resolved.

You can generally choose your repair shop in Washington. Let the insurer know you would like Pacific Auto Body to repair your vehicle. We are an independent shop and can discuss the proposed repair plan with you. Shop choice does not guarantee that an insurer will pay every charge; ask about coverage and any differences before authorizing work.

Coverage depends on your policy, the cause of damage, and the claim decision. Collision coverage generally addresses crash damage; comprehensive coverage generally addresses covered events such as theft, vandalism, or weather damage. Deductibles and limits may apply. Your insurer determines coverage. Ask your adjuster to explain exclusions, parts coverage, rental benefits, and any amount you may owe.

A deductible is the portion of a covered claim you are responsible for under your policy. When it applies to your repair, you pay that amount directly to the shop. A claim paid under another driver’s liability coverage may be handled differently. Confirm your deductible and payment responsibility with your adjuster; any later recovery from another party is handled through the insurance process.

An insurer may apply a betterment adjustment when a new replacement part, such as a tire, replaces a worn part and improves its remaining useful life. This is separate from a deductible. Ask the adjuster for the reason and calculation in writing, and clarify any amount you would be responsible for before authorizing the related work.

Estimates can differ in the damage identified, repair methods, labor operations, parts, refinishing, and required scans or calibrations. A quick visual estimate may not include everything found during disassembly. Compare the actual repair plans rather than only the totals. Share any insurance estimate with us so we can explain the differences and discuss the next steps.

Hidden damage can become visible after panels or components are removed. The repair plan and estimated completion date may then need to change. Additional work is often documented in a supplement for the insurer to review. Ask our team to explain the revised scope, coverage, and any customer-paid costs before authorizing additional repairs.

Timing depends on the extent of damage, parts availability, insurance review, repair procedures, and any required diagnostics or calibrations. A reliable schedule starts with understanding the full scope of work. Contact us for the current status of your repair and an updated completion expectation; a photo estimate alone cannot establish a guaranteed pickup date.

We plan repairs around the vehicle manufacturer’s procedures and applicable repair-program requirements. OEM parts come from the vehicle’s original manufacturer; aftermarket and recycled parts are different options that an insurer may propose. Coverage varies by policy and claim, rather than a universal vehicle-age rule. We will explain the proposed parts and any coverage differences so you can make an informed decision before authorization.

Our paint team uses computerized color-matching systems along with refinishing experience to evaluate the finish. A factory paint code is a starting point; age, exposure, and variations in the original finish can affect the match. Blending into adjacent panels may be part of the repair plan to create a consistent appearance.

Pacific Auto Body is a Tesla Approved Collision Center. Our auto body repair technicians are factory-trained and certified for Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lucid. We also have brand experience with Ferrari, Porsche, and other electric vehicles. Technician training and general brand experience are distinct from shop-level manufacturer approval. Explore our specialty collision repair services.

Electric vehicles can have high-voltage systems, battery enclosures, specific materials, and manufacturer-defined lifting and transport procedures. The repair plan must account for the particular model and damage, even when the exterior damage looks minor. Tell us your vehicle’s make and model when you contact us, and have a qualified professional assess any suspected battery or high-voltage damage.

Scans help identify electronic faults; calibration checks or adjusts systems such as cameras and radar to manufacturer specifications. These are different procedures. A collision or removal of certain components may trigger calibration requirements even without a dashboard warning. Our repair planning considers the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements and the diagnostics or calibrations needed for the work being performed.

Ask our team about Enterprise rental pickup and drop-off coordination while your vehicle is being repaired. Rentals are provided by the rental company and are subject to its availability and terms. Confirm any insurance reimbursement, daily allowance, and time limit with your adjuster before booking. Coverage can end before repairs are complete, so check your remaining benefits if the schedule changes.

Confirm your appointment and delivery instructions with our team. Bring your keys, claim number and adjuster details, and any existing estimate. Remove valuables, personal items, and items you may need while the vehicle is at the shop. Let us know about warning messages, unusual noises, or changes in how the vehicle drives following the collision.

Expect a vehicle cleaned inside and out. At pickup, ask us to walk through the completed repairs, final paperwork, applicable warranty, and any care instructions. Confirm the insurance payment status, deductible, and other agreed customer-paid amounts before your visit. Raise any questions about the finish, panel fit, or vehicle systems with our team.

We guarantee our repair workmanship and paint for as long as you own your automobile. Ask our team for the written warranty and its terms so you understand the coverage for your repair. Parts and other manufacturer warranties may have separate terms. If a concern arises, contact Pacific Auto Body so we can review it with you.

Follow the specific care instructions provided at pickup. The appropriate timing for washing, waxing, polishing, protective film, or coatings depends on the refinish system and work completed. Ask our team before scheduling a detail or applying a surface treatment; a single waiting period does not apply to every repair.

Call (206) 535-7593 or use our contact form and describe the concern. Include your vehicle details and, if helpful, clear photos. For urgent or time-sensitive needs, call during shop hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM. If a vehicle appears unsafe to drive, arrange a professional assessment before driving it.