Why the number can change after the car is taken apart
An estimate written on a parked car is based on what can be seen. Once the bumper cover, fender liners and brackets come off, damage that was behind them becomes visible: a cracked reinforcement bar, a bent mounting tab, a sensor that was knocked out of position. That is not bad news about your shop. It is how collision work behaves.
The correct response is a supplement. The shop documents the new damage with photos, writes it up, and sends it to the insurer for review. Work on that part waits for the answer, or continues if the extra work is clearly necessary and the insurer has agreed to it. You should hear about it from us, with pictures, rather than finding it on the final bill.
Ask any shop how it handles supplements. A good answer includes photos, a phone call to you, and a clear description of what changed in the plan. If the answer is vague, expect surprises later.
How we keep you informed during a repair
You should know three things at any point: where the car is in the process, what is waiting on a part or a decision from someone else, and what a delay would mean for your rental. We contact you when something changes, and you are welcome to call the shop during business hours.
Our weekday hours are 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM. We are closed Sunday. The accident line is different: it is answered around the clock for urgent help after a crash.
Why choose the neighboring Garwood shop
Because supplements are easier when the shop and the owner are on the same side. We are independent, bill all insurance companies directly, and answer to you. Garwood sits in Union County, so for many drivers nearby the trip to a shop that answers to you is a short one.
We are I-CAR Gold Class and an AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. AAA members receive 10 percent off labor, up to $75, when they show their card, and the discount cannot be combined with other offers. Paint work we perform carries a lifetime warranty on paint work only.
Insurance and your 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.
If your insurer's appraisal and ours differ, we explain the difference to the adjuster with photos and repair procedures. You make the call on the repair plan, and we make sure you understand the options first.
Start with a free estimate using photos, or book an appointment and bring the car in. Bring your insurance card and claim number if you have them.
Getting to Garwood from Springfield
Our only location is 74 North Ave, Garwood, NJ 07027. We do not have a Springfield office, and every estimate and repair happens in Garwood.
Springfield drivers can approach using Route 22 and local connections south toward Garwood, or the Garden State Parkway and Route 28, depending on where you start. We will not list turns we cannot confirm for your starting point. A live map shows current routing and closures.
If the car has been in a hard impact, do not assume it is safe to drive just because it starts. Call us and we can help coordinate a tow.