FAQs

Do I have to repair my vehicle at a shop recommended by my insurance company?

Absolutely not. You have the legal right to select a shop of your choice. Capital Auto Shop works with all insurance companies and we stand behind our work 100%. That is why we give a warranty on our repairs for as long as you own your vehicle.

Can you tell me how much my repair will cost over the phone?

There is simply a lot of room for error in writing an estimate based on a verbal description over the phone. In the past shops had to insist that the vehicle is brought to the shop before an estimate is written (and many still do). Luckily, today there is a better solution — virtual estimating. Click on the link to send us some basic info and photos and we will be glad to write you an estimate. In most cases you will get it back the very same day.

How likely is it that the initial estimate covers the entire repair?

Simply put - it is very likely on smaller cosmetic repairs and very unlikely on larger collision jobs. During an accident the energy from the impact continues to travel inward into the vehicle. The harder the hit the higher the chance that the energy has damaged components that are not visible by looking at the exterior of the vehicle only. Once the vehicle is at the shop a disassembly, also known as a "tear down" allows for the energy from the impact to be followed and further assess the damages. If additional damages are found the customer and/or insurance company are notified and work does not continue until the proper parties have authorized for it to continue. Here at Capital Auto Shop we will never spend your money without your prior authorization.

How long does an average body repair take?

It really depends on the size of the job. The smallest bumper and mirror paint jobs, if started first thing in the morning, could be done within the same day. That is rare however. In most cases an average bumper job takes two to three days. And as can be expected, larger repairs would take even longer. Every repair job is different in the variables involved. We will be able to give you a pretty accurate time frame once the vehicle has been disassembled, all the damage has been assessed and parts have been sourced.

I've been in an accident, what do I do to get my insurance company involved?

We cannot start a claim on your behalf as you are the owner of your vehicle. But feel free to call us first at 703-385-2040 if you have any questions and we'd be happy to help you navigate the process.

Do you work with my Insurance company?

We work with all insurance companies and we're the best at helping you navigate the process with any of the top insurance companies: Geico, Progressive, AAA Auto Insurance, Allstate, Esurance, Liberty Mutual, American National, Travelers, Ameriprise, Nationwide Insurance, Farmers, 21st Century Insurance, StateFarm, Mercury Insurance Group, etc.