Frequently Asked Questions

Medley & Sons is committed to complete customer satisfaction throughout every step of the vehicle restoration process, from the moment you contact us to the moment you drive away in your repaired vehicle.

We have collected many common questions we have heard in our years in the auto body repair industry, and have provided the answers here.  If you don't find the answers you need here, feel free to contact us.

> How do I choose the right auto facility for me?
> My insurance company is steering me to a certain body shop. Do I have to go there?
> Do I have to get two or three estimates for my insurance company?
> How much will this repair cost?
> If I turn this claim in to my insurance company, won’t my premiums increase?
> I want to pay for the damage myself because I think it may be less than my deductible. Should I?
> The person who ran into me wants to pay for it himself. Is this a good idea?
> My insurance company has issued a check for less than your estimate. Will I have to pay the difference?
> What kind of warranty does Medley & Sons offer?
> How well will the paint color match the old color?
> Will my car ever be the same after an accident?
> I need a rental car. How do I go about arranging one?
> How soon after the repairs are complete may I wash and wax my car?

Choosing an auto repair facility and working with insurance companies.

1. How do I choose the right auto facility for me?
Auto repair facilities are not all alike. There has been a technology revolution in the auto repair industry in the last few years and we have been at the forefront of it. Today’s vehicles are more complex and technologically challenging so auto repair has also become more complex. We are committed to offering our customers an unparalleled standard of service because we know our people will do the job right. We equip every one of our technicians with the latest technology and continual training to meet the highest factory standards.

2. My insurance company is steering me to a certain body shop. Do I have to go there?
No - You have the right to choose your repair shop.  You don’t have to settle for less. Medley & Sons works with all major insurance companies. The bottom line is that most agents want the same thing we all do - quality repairs at a fair price. We want you to be satisfied with the job you receive.

3. Do I have to get two or three estimates for my insurance company?
No law requires you to get more than one estimate for your own insurance company. We work with all major insurance companies and, in our experience, it is usually unnecessary to get multiple estimates once a claim representative from the insurance company is involved. In fact, it can be the case that a car may be unsafe to drive to the next shop or additional driving may cause more damage. It’s usually best to pick a reputable repair facility and have your insurer deal directly with that facility.

Cost and Value

1. How much will this repair cost?
Today’s complex vehicles make it difficult to give customers an immediate estimate. To properly complete an accurate, itemized estimate, a thorough disassembly is required. A guesstimate may be helpful to get the claim rolling, but a complete estimate nearly always requires disassembly.

2. If I turn this claim in to my insurance company, won’t my premiums increase?
This is a concern for all of us. Talking to your insurance agent may be a wise choice. The question you must ask yourself is whether your premium will increase by an amount greater than the cost of repairs in the next one, two or three years. In our experience, the answer is usually no - and usually not even close.

3. I want to pay for the damage myself because I think it may be less than my deductible. Should I?
The fact of the matter is that quality collision repair on modern vehicles is expensive. It is rare for damage to be less than the deductible. Quality parts, paint, materials, new technology and skilled labor can make even small fender benders quite costly. Remember, you have a major investment in your vehicle. The bottom line is that quality repair doesn't cost, it pays. Sooner or later, you will sell, trade-in or turn back your car. If a repair is of poor quality, you may have to pay the lease company or discount your car at the time of sale or trade-in.

4. The person who ran into me wants to pay for it himself. Is this a good idea?
Just as we urge customers to file a claim for their own repairs, we would urge our customers to protect themselves by getting a full accident report and insurance claim when the damage is someone else’s fault. People are quick to offer to pay out of their own pocket without full knowledge of what they are committing to.  When they receive a full appraisal of the damages they often back out.  Should additional damage be found or if the repair estimate is higher than expected, you may be left holding the bag for repair costs. Many insurance policies won’t cover damage unless policyholders file an accident report and notify them immediately. We urge you not to take this risk.

5. My insurance company has issued a check for less than your estimate. Will I have to pay the difference?
NO. Insurance appraisers sometimes are unable to write a thorough estimate until after the auto repair facility has evaluated the full cost to repair the damage. If the appraiser has missed any items or underestimated any costs, we will work directly with the insurance company to resolve those issues. In the rare event that it cannot be worked out, you will be notified prior to incurring any charges.

Quality and Satisfaction

1. What kind of warranty does Medley & Sons offer?
We offer a lifetime guarantee on our workmanship.

2. How well will the paint color match the old color?
With our computerized paint mixing system and our rigid standards and training, our technicians will perfectly match your vehicle’s paint every time.

3. Will my car ever be the same after an accident?
In years past, before high-tech tools, equipment and facilities like Medley & Sons, many cars were never the same after an accident. However, today, we can assure you that your car will be the same and - quite often - better after the repairs are completed.

Other Issues

1. I need a rental car. How do I go about arranging one?
We have an on-site rental car agency and can arrange a rental here for your convenience.

2. How soon after the repairs are complete may I wash and wax my car?
We oven bake your car’s finish so you may hand wash your car right away. However, we ask that you wait 60 days before waxing or pressure washing your car to prevent any possible damage to your new finish.