Archives April 2025

It seems like the worst things in life happen at the most inconvenient times. Sometimes, it’s a red light when you’re running late. Other times, it’s getting hit by the person who decided to run that red light. And if that happens? It’s having to deal with the car insurance claim process.

Using car insurance after an accident can be overwhelming. From filing a claim to getting an auto body repair estimate, there’s a lot to manage. So here’s a quick guide to help you handle the car insurance claim process and get back on the road as soon as possible.

Immediately After an Accident 

The accident just happened, now what?

1. Check for Injuries and Prioritize Safety 

Make sure everyone is safe. Check everyone in your vehicle, and if it’s safe to do so, check the scene for anyone else who might be hurt. Call emergency services as soon as you can, and notify them if anyone is injured.

2. Document the Scene 

If it’s safe to do so, collect as much evidence as you can, including:

• Photos of the damage to vehicles and any property
• The other driver’s license, insurance details, and contact information
• Contact information from any witnesses
• Time, date, location, road conditions, and any other relevant details 

These details can help you file your claims and use your car insurance after an accident. When the police arrive, they will collect information to file an incident report. Stay calm and cooperative, and give the details you remember. You can request a copy of this report for your records and insurance claims.

Filing Your Insurance Claim 

The next steps are where most people have questions. The car insurance claim process is not as scary as it seems when you break it down:

1. Notify Your Insurance Company 

It’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. In many cases, they will have a 24/7 incident line where you can call them right away.

2. File the Claim 

Most insurance companies allow you to file a claim over the phone, on their website, or through their mobile app. It’s important to keep a record of details and documentation (like photos, police reports, and contact information) to give to your insurance company.

3. Claim Assignment 

Once you’ve filed a claim, an insurance adjuster will contact you about your claim (usually within 1-3 days). The adjuster will investigate your claim, taking into consideration the information you give them, along with police reports or other documentation. At this point, they may also ask you to get an estimate from a repair company.

4. Get an Estimate and Approve Repairs 

To better process your car insurance claim, your insurance company often requires you to get one or more estimates for repairs. Your insurance company may recommend a shop, but you are not required to have your vehicle serviced there. It’s important to ask what insurance will and won’t cover, though.

When you have a repair estimate approved, it’s time to get things fixed.

5. Receive Payment or Settlement 

Depending on the extent of repairs and how your insurance company handles things, they might pay you money for repairs or send it directly to the repair shop. If there is any additional settlement, it happens in this stage.

6. Follow Up on Medical Claims (If Applicable) 

Just as important as car insurance claims are medical claims. Accident injury coverage is necessary in most policies, so make sure you are getting all the benefits you deserve.

Types of Auto Insurance That Cover You 

When you are reviewing your current policy or getting a new one, keep these types of insurance in mind. Different policies have different coverage options, so it’s important to know your coverage when you use car insurance after an accident.

1. Liability Insurance 

Liability insurance covers property damage and injury for cases where you are at fault. Most states have a required amount of coverage. In Utah, you should have at least:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability
• $65,000 for two or more persons for bodily injury liability
• $15,000 for property damage liability

2. Collision Coverage 

Collision coverage is not required by law, but it can be very useful. This type of coverage pays whether you are at fault or not. It’s most commonly used if you are hit while your vehicle is parked, if you hit a stationary object (e.g. a guardrail or post), or for collision repairs in an accident.

3. Comprehensive Coverage 

Comprehensive coverage is for things not collision related, and are often outside of your control. This usually includes things like hitting an animal, a tree falling on your vehicle, glass damage, floods, hail, or fires.

4. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) 

Personal injury protection policies are also known as “no-fault insurance” and cover healthcare or medical issues related to an accident. This is beneficial because it covers policyholders and passengers, whether or not those individuals have health insurance.

5. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage 

According to a 2023 study, 14% (or one in seven) of drivers in the United States were uninsured in 2022. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can cover the additional costs of a driver without liability insurance. This also comes in handy when you’re the victim of a hit and run.

Get the Process Rolling with Valley Collision 

Being in an accident is hard enough, so making the car insurance claim process easier is important. At Valley Collision, we’re here to help with reliable estimates and expert repair services you can trust.

Involved in an accident? Get your free online estimate today!

Just one crash can leave your car looking like, well, a wreck. Accidents happen. But getting in an accident also means you have to worry about auto body repairs. Sometimes they can be pretty simple, but other times, they’re more complex. And sometimes, they involve parts of your car you didn’t even know existed.

In this article, we’ll talk about everything quarter panels: what and where they are, how they get damaged, and how to decide if quarter panel repairs or replacements are best for you.

What Is a Quarter Panel?

A quarter panel is part of the outer structure of a vehicle. It is typically welded to the car frame and sits behind the rear doors and above the rear wheels. It provides cosmetic and sometimes structural support to your vehicle.

What Are Quarter Panels Made Of?

Quarter panels are usually made from sheet metal. These are typically different types of steel or aluminum, but modern car manufacturers are trying materials like fiberglass, fiber-reinforced plastic, or carbon fiber. Since quarter panels are constructed with protection in mind, the materials used to make them are sturdy and strong.

How Do Quarter Panels Differ From Fenders?

If you’ve never heard of a quarter panel, you may have heard of its neighbor, the fender. Both are part of the sheet metal or outer casing of a car’s body, but their locations and replacement difficulty are different.

• Fenders are the panels at the front of the car, above and around the front wheels.
• Quarter Panels are at the rear end of the car, covering the area by the trunk and around the rear wheels.

Fenders are relatively easy to replace because they are bolted onto the car. Quarter panel repair, on the other hand, is much harder. These panels are welded onto the car frame, so they are more expensive to repair or replace.

How Do Quarter Panels Get Damaged?

• Minor Dents: These are often caused by low-impact collisions or parking lot door dings.
• Scratches and Scuffs: Tree branches, shopping carts, or other vehicles can leave scratches and scuffs on your auto body.
• Rust and Corrosion: Moisture, weathering, dirt, and salts from the road can cause rust and other corrosion.
• Structural Damage: High-speed collisions or intense impacts can destroy your quarter panel. This can lead to structural issues and underlying damage.

When Can a Quarter Panel Be Repaired?

Getting an estimate from a licensed repair professional will help you determine if your car needs quarter panel repairs or a full replacement. Here are some common repair-only situations:

1. Surface-Level Scratches or Scuffs 

Damage to your vehicle’s surface (things that don’t get past the paint or metal beneath) can usually be buffed out or polished to repair.

2. Minor Dents Without Creases 

Small, shallow dents—especially those without sharp edges or bends—can be repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR). That way, you can get dents repaired without more expensive paint jobs.

3. Limited Rust 

If you catch any rusting early, you can get it to a repair shop before it becomes a serious problem. The repair usually involves sanding down the section and treating it.

4. Overall Structural Integrity 

Sometimes, the damage isn’t bad enough to damage other areas of the car. If the damage is only cosmetic, a skilled repair technician can repair it easily.

When Does a Quarter Panel Need to Be Replaced?

If the damage is more serious, quarter panel repair might not be an option. Here are some cases where you should look into getting your quarter panel replaced instead:

1. Extensive Structural Damage 

Some cosmetic dents may appear minor but often signal deeper structural issues. Look out for intense crumpling, bending, or warping.

2. Deep Rust or Rot 

Severe rusting can damage the quarter panel beyond repair. When the rust has spread or eaten through the metal, it’s a good time for a full replacement.

3. Damage Affecting Rear Alignment 

A damaged quarter panel can affect your car’s alignment too. When getting your car repaired, it’s important to address any structural issues that could lead to alignment issues or problems down the road.

Factors to Consider: Repair or Replace?

If you’re contemplating quarter panel repair or replacement, it’s important to keep these factors in mind:

• Extent of the Damage: Surface damage issues like dents or scrapes are generally okay with repairs. Deeper damage to the panel or frame usually means a full replacement.
• Vehicle Age and Value: Older vehicles or those with a low market value may not be worth the cost of a replacement.
• Insurance Coverage: Do some research on what your insurance plan covers and what it doesn’t. Sometimes plans cover repairs but require you to foot the replacement bill.
• Safety and Integrity: The most important thing to keep in mind is the safety and integrity of your vehicle. And that means your safety too.

Get Your Expert Quarter Panel Repair Estimate at Valley Collision 

The quarter panel plays an important role in your vehicle’s appearance and structure. If it’s damaged, figuring out whether to repair or replace it can be tricky. That’s where Valley Collision comes in. Our trusted team will walk you through your options and make sure both you and your vehicle are well taken care of.

Get a free online estimate today and learn how Valley Collision can get your car looking and feeling like new.

As if things weren’t stressful enough.

You were on your way to work, driving the car you finally paid off. Getting through the intersection would have been just fine, but the person turning left didn’t realize a pedestrian was making their way across the crosswalk. They slammed on their brakes, avoiding that incident, but didn’t account for the fact that you were still cruising along at a whopping 35 miles per hour.

Now, after you exchanged insurance info and talked to the police, your insurance company asked for a collision repair estimate to process your claim. If this is your first rodeo or you’re getting back in the ring, here’s your crash course (sorry, too soon) in collision repair estimates.

Key Components of a Collision Repair Estimate 

After you find a reliable auto repair shop, they will give you a detailed estimate of what repairs your vehicle needs. While there may be additional repairs, this initial assessment will give you a good idea of the price.

Labor Costs 

Labor costs are the hours the mechanics or technicians are working on your vehicle. Depending on the intensity of the work your vehicle needs, this price can fluctuate. As you can probably guess, dent repairs cost a lot less than engine repairs. A good repair shop should include detailed descriptions of the tasks involved in the repair process.

Parts Costs 

If you need new parts, those will add to the overall cost. Depending on your vehicle warranty and the availability of parts, repair shops will use one of two types of parts:

• OEM Parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer): These parts are made for your vehicle by the original vehicle maker.
• Aftermarket Parts: These parts are usually less expensive, but can vary in quality. They are often manufactured by the same third-parties that make OEM parts.

Paint and Materials 

If your repair includes cosmetic damage, your estimate might include things like paint, primer, clear coat, and other materials. This part of your estimate covers both labor and materials and varies in price based on the extent of the damage.

Additional Services 

Your repairs might include additional work, like fixing alignment or paintless dent repair. These services are worth considering, especially if ignoring them will cause negative long term effects.

Types of Damage Considered in the Estimate 

When you get a collision repair estimate, a repair shop checks for different types of damage, including the following:

Visible Damage 

This includes any external damage that you can see. It usually includes dents, scratches, scuffs, or other body damage. This is usually the starting point to any estimate.

Hidden Damage 

Hidden damage refers to problems that are found after additional inspections. These are things not visible at first, like damage to your car’s suspension after a fender bender.

Structural Damage 

Anything involving your vehicle’s frame or internal support systems counts as structural damage. These types of repairs can be expensive, but important because they directly affect your vehicle’s safety and performance.

Additional Fees You Might Encounter 

Collision repair estimates might also include shop specific fees like:

• Disposal Fees: For removing and handling damaged parts or materials.
• Supplemental Repairs: If additional damage is discovered after work begins.
• Diagnostic Fees: For specific evaluations (i.e. scanning your vehicle’s computer system).

Be sure to ask your repair shop about additional fees to avoid surprises.

How to Read and Understand Your Estimate 

There’s a lot to look at when you get your estimate. Starting with these tips can help:

• Look at Itemized Sections: Look at how costs break down into labor, parts, paint, and fees. 
• Ask Questions: If certain terms or costs on your estimate don’t make sense, don’t hesitate to ask about them. 
• Use Resources: Check out this list of common repair terms to help translate.

Understanding your estimate will help you as you work on repairs and insurance claims.

Why Collision Repair Estimates Vary 

If you’ve taken your car to multiple shops and received estimates on far ends of the spectrum, you’re not alone. This might be because:

• Labor rates differ between regions and repair shops. 
• Part types impact cost. OEM parts are more expensive than aftermarket parts. 
• Shop expertise can influence pricing. Highly specialized or certified shops may charge higher rates. 

While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest estimate, remember that quality, expertise, and trustworthiness in a repair shop matters more than cost alone. 

Why the Cheapest Option Isn’t Always Best 

Choosing your repair shop based only on price could leave you with poor quality parts or labor. Make sure you choose a shop that has excellent reviews, transparency, and certifications, like the I-CAR Gold Class Certification.

It’s also important to work with your insurance company during this process. While they can’t decide which repair shop to use, certain restrictions or in-network options can sway your decision.

Valley Collision Can Help You Take the Next Step with Confidence

It may sound like a lot, but your collision repair estimate will help with navigating insurance claims and your vehicle repairs. And it’s important to choose a repair shop you trust.At Valley Collision, our experts are here to help.

Getting started is simple with our online estimate—just upload pictures of your vehicle’s damage, and we’ll provide a clear, reliable quote. And when it’s time for repairs, our skilled technicians will deliver top-quality care for both you and your vehicle.