Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I choose an auto body repair facility? Choose wisely for your safety.
  1. Ask for referrals from friends, coworkers, or family members on what body shop they know or have used.
  2. Look for a trusted reputation & substantial number of years in the collision repair business. Bates has been trusted since 1990.
  3. Ask about their certifications—Their technicians should be qualified to do the auto body repairs. There are certifications such as I-CAR and ASE that certify technicians in their specialties. An auto body shop’s technicians that have these certifications are a great way to ensure trust and professionalism in getting your car repaired correctly.
  4. Ask about their warranty.–A quality collision repair center will offer a written Lifetime Warranty. This shows that they stand behind their work and will back it up in the event that something goes wrong.
  5. Stop by the shop—This is another good way to tell if you’ll feel comfortable leaving your car in their hands. Notice how you’re treated, the condition of the shop and whether it’s clean and well-maintained. Also, talk to the staff and see how knowledgeable they are about your particular repair.  Ask them about their process and a timeline for getting the job done.
  6. Understand your auto body estimate. We explain and answer all of your questions.
  7. Before you leave your vehicle at a collision repair center, ask your friends, coworkers, or family members if they’ve ever used their services?
Are Certifications important in auto body repair?

All technicians should be qualified to do collision repairs. There are specialty certifications such as I-CAR and ASE that certify each one of them. Knowing the body shop technicians have these certifications is a way to ensure trust, professionalism and a precise repair. Only 10% of all collision repair facilities in the US have achieved I-CAR Gold Class Certification.  Rest assured Bates Collision Centers has the certifications you are looking for to get your vehicle repaired to manufacturer specifications.

Do I have to take my vehicle to a repair facility chosen by my insurance company?

Absolutely not, insurance companies’ direct repair programs or preferred shops are simply an option. You may always go to the collision repair shop of your choice.

If I don’t have repairs done at a facility preferred by the insurance company, can I still get a lifetime warranty?

Yes. Most high quality repair centers offer a written lifetime warranty. Ask to see their warranty.

Does my accident have to be turned into my insurance company?

No, many customers prefer to pay for their own repairs so that a claim does not result in higher insurance premiums.

Does my auto insurance work like my health insurance policy, requiring that I stay within a network of providers or incur additional expense?

No. Unlike health insurance, your auto policy allows you to go to the collision repair center of your choice, typically at no extra cost.

Do you repair my type of vehicle?

Yes! We work on all makes and models, foreign and domestic.

Do I need an appointment for an estimate?

No, you may stop by during our business hours whenever it’s convenient for you.

How long will it take to get an estimate?

On average, it takes 15 – 20 minutes. Times vary depending on the extent of the damage to the vehicle. More and more insurance companies utilize Bates’ Repair Planning Program, therefore not even requiring that customers spend time getting estimate.

Do I need more than one estimate?

Texas law does not require you to get more than one estimate. Choose the repair shop of your choice and have an estimate prepared. Sometimes the insurance company will write their own estimate. Just bring that estimate to us and we will review it in detail with you and notify your insurance company of any additional damage found during thorough disassembly and repair planning process.

Do I need an appointment to drop off my vehicle for repairs?

Yes, you schedule an appointment here or give us a call.

Can I get a ride to work or back home when I drop off my vehicle?

We provide local pickup and delivery service for our customers. We want each customer’s visit to be a positive experience, and we work diligently to take the hassle out of collision repair.

Can my vehicle be towed directly to Bates Collision?

Yes, 24-hour emergency towing is available by calling our preferred towing vendor directly:
Grahams Towing 281-383-2402

What if I can’t come in to sign the authorization form?

You can complete and sign the form digitally here.

How much is my deductible?

Your deductible depends on your insurance policy. Your insurance provider or insurance agent will be able to give you further information about your deductible.

Where & when do I pay my deductible?

Payment is made to the shop upon pick-up, once the repairs are complete.

What if the damages are less than my deductible?

You will only need to pay the total amount due for the repairs, not the full amount of the deductible.

Why do I have to pay the deductible if the accident wasn’t my fault?

If an accident wasn’t your fault, yet you filled the claim on your own insurance policy instead of the party’s who was at fault, your insurance will require you to pay your deductible. However, you may be reimbursed by the insurance provider of the party who is at fault. However, you may need to pay the deductible on your own insurance until any reimbursement is paid.

When do I pay for the repairs?

Payment is made upon pick-up, once the repairs are complete.

What forms of payment are accepted?

We accept any of the following payments: Credit Card – Visa, MasterCard, Cash & Local Personal Checks (Up to $1,000); we cannot accept temporary checks.

How much will my collision repairs cost?

The auto body repair costs will depend on the extent of the vehicle damage. Once we receive the vehicle, we will reach out to you within 24-48 hours to review the repair details, estimated cost and estimated timeframe to complete the repairs. If it is a walk-in estimate, the Collision Repair Advisor will provide you with a written estimate on the spot, which usually takes 15 – 20 minutes.

What if the insurance companies estimate is lower than the estimate I receive from Bates?

At Bates Collision we try to write the most complete estimate possible the first time, and the insurance company may have only written the most obvious damage. Please bring the insurance estimate in with you and we will go over the differences with you. If necessary, we will have the adjustor come out to go over the required repairs that were not included in their original estimate. Bates will work with the insurance company to get all needed repairs approved with no out of pocket expense to you.

Can I get other damages fixed (that are not part of my insurance claim) while my vehicle is in the body shop?

Absolutely. Let us know what else you’d like to repair when you’re dropping off your vehicle to the body shop. We will provide you with a separate estimate for those repairs. Often times we can save you money on additional repairs from the normal cost since some procedures are already being performed and paid for by the insurance claim.

I have two insurance claims on my vehicle; can both be fixed at once?

Yes, please let us know when you’re dropping off your vehicle. Please be aware that your insurance provider may require you to pay two deductibles in this case.

Will you share or sell my email address?

No, the email address on file is solely for communication purposes. We will never share, sell, or distribute your information.

Why do I have to remove my personal belongings before my collision repair?

Your vehicle will likely go through numerous stages for repair, including painting and disassembly. We want you to have your belongings in case you need them during that time.

Can you pre-order the parts for my collision repair?

Most of the time we find that vehicles have sustained internal damage, even after we’ve given a visual estimate. Therefore, we order the parts only after we’ve completed our thorough disassembly & Repair Planning process. When parts are ordered, they usually arrive within 48 hours. However, if the damage is very minor, such as headlights, taillights, mirrors, etc., then you may stop by the shop to pre-order those parts.

Do I have rental coverage?

We can confirm this for you; all we need is your insurance company name and claim number. Car rental insurance is not usually a large expense to add to your policy, however not having it can turn into a large expense. If you are a claimant against another party, it is required for them to provide you with a rental vehicle by state law.

What if I do not have rental coverage on my car insurance policy?

Hertz will contact you directly with rates. You’ll receive a discounted rate as a Bates customer. We’ve made it super convenient with Hertz vehicles on-site. Simply pick up your rental when you drop off your vehicle for collision repairs, and return it when the repairs are completed.

How do I get my rental vehicle?

We’ve made it super convenient for you, we have Hertz vehicles on-site, just schedule your appointment with us and we’ll reserve your rental vehicle with Hertz. If the repair is an insurance claim, Hertz will bill the insurance directly. If your rental is with Enterprise, they will pick you up from our shop & take you to their office.

Can I get a ride to work or back home when I drop off my vehicle?

We provide local pickup and delivery service for our customers. We want each customer’s visit to be a positive experience, and we work diligently to take the hassle out of collision repair.

Will I have to put down a deposit on the rental vehicle?

Yes, Hertz & Enterprise both require a security deposit from every customer that is driving one of their vehicles. The security deposit requires a major credit card, and the amount may range from $50 to $150 depending on the location. For further information regarding deposits, please contact your local rental location.

What do I do with the rental car when I come to pick up my vehicle?

You can leave the rental at our shop & we’ll take care of it.

I need a certain type of rental vehicle. Do I get a choice?

Hertz will call and discuss your coverage & the choices available with you. You may pick your preferred vehicle at that time.

Is there a warranty on the collision repairs to my vehicle?

Yes. We have a nationwide written warranty on our repairs. It is a lifetime warranty on paint and workmanship and manufacturer warranty on all parts.

If my vehicle’s frame is damaged, is the vehicle a total loss?

Not necessarily. A car is considered “totaled,” only when the price of repairs exceeds the insurance company’s determined value of your vehicle. Bates Collision Center’s certified technicians will return your vehicle’s frame to its original factory specifications using our state-of-the-art measuring equipment.

How will you match the paint of my vehicle?

We use the paint codes from the manufacturer located on your vehicle. We spray Sikkens Waterborne paint and use a revolutionary digital hand-held device that digitally analyzes the color on your vehicle. We custom mix the color for every job.

Bumpers are made out of a different material from your car, and frequently the color of your bumper was slightly different when it left the factory due to the difference in material. We will experience the same small deviation in our process that the factory did when they painted your bumper originally.

How long will Collision repairs take?

Just as all collisions are different, all repair schedules are different, too. The repair time will depend on the extent of the vehicle damage. Once we receive the vehicle, we will produce a detailed Repair Plan and contact you within 24-48 hours to review it with you.

My vehicle has a small dent. Will it cost a fortune to get it repaired?

No, because Bates offers Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), a lower cost, high quality method to repair small dents that have not scraped or broken the paint surface. These dent repairs preserve the factory paint finish, which is the most durable finish available. Average time for a vehicle getting PDR is one day.

What do insurance companies mean by “betterment charges?”

In collision repair, there are parts that wear out and need replacement (tires, batteries, and suspension parts) that must be replaced during the repair process. They are commonly subject to betterment charges. These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on the miles on your vehicle.

Do you detail my vehicle after the collision repairs?

Detailing is part of every repair. We will return your car with a freshly washed exterior and a vacuumed, clean interior. We have a full menu of detail packages available at an additional cost.

When can I wash or detail my car after a collision repair?

**RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS**
DON’T
• Don’t use a commercial car wash. Stiff brushes or sponges may damage the finish.
• Don’t “dry wipe” your vehicle. Dry wiping can scratch the finish.
• Avoid parking under trees and utility lines which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings will damage a freshly painted surface because of its high acid content. Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface.
• Avoid spilling gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish.
• Never scrape ice or snow from a newly painted surface.
• Don’t wax your newly painted panels for 90 days.

DO
• Wash the vehicle by hand with cool, clean water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
• Wash your vehicle in the shade

**RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS**
DON’T
• Avoid waxing or polishing the vehicle. This will allow the finish to dry and harden completely.

DO
• Wash the vehicle by hand with cool, clean water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
• Wash your vehicle in the shade

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