When the damage is on a parked car
Parked car damage is a special case because nobody saw it happen. Sometimes there is a note on the windshield, sometimes there is nothing at all. The steps you take in the first hour matter more than anything we do afterward.
Photograph the car where it sits. Take a wide shot that shows the car and its surroundings, then closer shots of each damaged area, then a close shot of any paint transfer that might help identify the other vehicle. Do it in daylight if you can, and do it before you move the car. Note the date, time and exact spot.
If you live in a building with cameras or the damage happened in a lot, ask whoever manages the property whether footage exists, and ask quickly, since recordings are often kept only for a short time. Then report to the police if a report would help your claim. Your insurer will tell you what documentation they want, and your policy decides whether collision coverage applies.
Why a Garwood shop is a sensible choice for Clark drivers
Garwood is the neighboring town, and the shop is independent. That combination means you can bring the car in, get an honest assessment and decide what to do next without a script from an insurance company.
With parked car damage, estimates often change once the bumper cover is off. Something that looks like a surface scrape can hide a cracked absorber or a bent bracket. Our process is to inspect, photograph and write the plan, then tell you what is certain and what may change. If hidden damage appears later, we document it with photos and send a supplement. You are not surprised on pickup day.
We are I-CAR Gold Class and AAA Approved Auto Repair. AAA members receive 10 percent off labor, up to $75, with their card, and the discount is not combinable with other offers. Our lifetime warranty covers paint work only.
Insurance and the right to choose
New Jersey lets you choose a licensed repair shop for your vehicle. Your insurer may suggest a shop and you can try to agree on a price with them, but a suggestion is not a requirement, and nobody can promise blanket payment before the car has been inspected. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has consumer information on auto claims.
We are an independent shop, we work with all insurers and bill them directly. If your claim is a hit and run, or if the other driver has no insurance, your own policy may respond depending on your coverage. Your agent or adjuster is the right person to confirm that. We can supply the estimate and photos they request.
Small damage, big questions
Not every dent needs a panel replaced. Paintless dent repair can work on some dents where the paint is not cracked, and a bumper scuff may be repairable rather than replaceable. We tell you which route fits the damage, even when it is the cheaper one. If the cost of the repair is close to your deductible, we will say so, because you may prefer to pay out of pocket and avoid a claim. That decision is yours and depends on your policy.
Start with a free estimate by uploading photos, or book a time to come in. For a quick question, our phone is answered during business hours and the accident line is answered around the clock.
Getting to Garwood from Clark
We have one location: 74 North Ave, Garwood, NJ 07027. There is no Clark office. Estimates and repairs are done in Garwood.
From Clark, you can approach using the Garden State Parkway and Route 28, or use other local connections that suit your starting point. We are not going to give you turn by turn guidance from Clark, because routes change and we would rather you check a live map for current routing.
If the car has been hit and is not safe to drive, call us before you start the engine. We can help coordinate a tow.