Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Is there a charge for an estimate?
2.  Do I have to get more than one estimate?
3.  Can I choose the body shop where my vehicle is repaired?
4.  Will my new car warranty be voided if I don’t go to the dealer for my repairs?
5. Does Lovetts offer a warranty?
6. Can you arrange for my vehicle to be towed?
7.  Can you arrange for a rental car?
8.  Can I get a ride home or to work when I drop off my vehicle?
9.  How long will it take to repair my vehicle?
10. I have several estimates that are significantly different in price. Why?
11. If my vehicle’s frame is damaged does that mean my vehicle can’t be repaired?
12. Can you match the color of the paint on my vehicle?
13. Do you offer a warranty on your paint?
14. Is my vehicle a total loss?
15. What do I do with my insurance check?
16. When do I pay my deductible?
17. How soon after my vehicle is repaired and painted can I wash and wax it?

1. Is there a charge for an estimate?
No, there is no charge for an estimate from Lovett’s Body Shop. Estimates are free and it takes approximately 20 minutes to get an estimate.

2. Do I have to get more than one estimate?
No, that is a common misconception. You can take your vehicle to the repair facility of your choice and get just one estimate. We would be happy to write an estimate for you and submit it to your insurance company. If your insurance company has already written an estimate for you we will be happy to use their estimate and work with your company to expedite repairs and return your vehicle to pre-accident condition.

3. Can I choose the body shop where my vehicle is repaired?
Yes, it is your Responsibility, and your Right to choose the body shop that will repair your vehicle. You may have prior experience with a repair facility; ask family and friends for referrals, check with the Better Business Bureau or check online. Be sure the auto body shop you choose is an I-CAR Gold Class Shop and offers a Lifetime Warranty on their Workmanship and Paint. To expedite repairs please inform your insurance company of the auto body shop you have chosen.

4. Will my new car warranty be voided if I don’t go to the dealer for my repairs?
No, your manufacture’s warranty will remain in effect. In addition to your manufactures warranty the areas that Lovett’s repairs will be covered by our Lifetime Warranty.

5. Does Lovett’s offer a warranty?
Yes, Lovett’s offers a written Limited Lifetime Warranty, to repair, without charge to you ,any defects in workmanship for the bodywork and paint labor shown on your repair invoice…for as long as you own your vehicle. Please click on Lovett’s Warranty to read our complete warranty or to print a copy.

6. Can you arrange for my vehicle to be towed?
Yes, whenever possible Lovett’s will be happy to make towing arrangements for you. During business hours Monday through Friday from 7:30 am. to 5 pm. just give us a call at 602-264-6898. After hours call United Road Services at 602-523-3300 and they will tow your vehicle to their lot. Then give Lovett’s a call during business hours and we will arrange to have your vehicle towed to our facility. The cost of towing as the result of an accident is covered as part of the loss. Lovett’s will pay the tow bill when your vehicle is delivered to us. We will include this expense in the estimate that is submitted to the insurance company. For complete details please click on Towing.

7. Can you arrange for a rental car?
Yes, we would be happy to make a rental car reservation for you that will coordinate with the scheduled repair date of your vehicle. We can offer “one stop convenience”. Rental vehicles can be picked up and dropped off at Lovett’s and you can utilize a free shuttle service to and from the rental car office. Please click on Rental Car for complete details.

8. Can I get a ride home or to work when I drop off my vehicle?
Yes, we are happy to provide courtesy rides for our customers. When you call to schedule your repair please inform us that you will need a ride. In addition to courtesy rides for our customers we also provide vehicle pick up and delivery upon request…just ask us!

9. How long will it take to repair my vehicle?
Vehicle repair time is determined by the complexity and extent of the damages. We will give you an ETD, or estimated time of delivery, based on the initial appraisal of the collision damage.  However, the initial appraisal is often written on visual damage only. The estimated time of delivery may change after your vehicle is completely disassembled due to the discovery of additional supplemental damage, the need for additional parts, availability of parts and supplemental insurance approvals. Your customer service representative will keep you informed during the repair process. Please click on Repair Time for a complete explanation of circumstances that may extend the repair time. Please click on Repair Process which details the sequence and number of steps in the repair process.

10. I have several estimates that are significantly different in price. Why?
There are a number of reasons that estimates may differ. Are all the necessary repairs included on each estimate? A low estimate could reflect an incomplete job which may not include structural damage to the frame or unibody. There may be a difference because one body shop has written to repair a part and another shop has written to replace the part. There are three primary estimating systems used by auto body repair facilities: Mitchell, CCC and ADP. Each system breaks down labor operations differently and frequently use different material allowances for similar operations. The type of part used in the repairs will have a significant impact on the repair cost. Is the estimate written to use OEM or Original Equipment Manufacture’s parts, aftermarket parts, used or remanufactured parts? For a complete description of parts please click on Parts Used. If you have several estimates that differ in price please bring them to Lovett’s and we will be happy to help you determine why there are price differences.

11. If my vehicle’s frame is damaged does that mean my vehicle can’t be repaired?
No, frame damage is common and it can be repaired with the proper equipment and  experienced technicians. Your vehicle may have a chassis (frame) or it may have a unibody (frame and body as one) construction. If the severity and location of the collision damage indicates there is frame or unibody damage your vehicle will be mounted to a dedicated bench or universal frame rack. A computerized measuring system will be utilized to provide graphic and numeric data showing the extent of the damage and the damage will be repaired returning specific measuring points on your vehicle back to the dimensions dictated by the vehicle manufacturer.

12. Can you match the color of the paint on my vehicle?
Yes, Lovett’s uses a computerized paint mixing system by BASF,a leader in refinish products. The paint code on your vehicle indicates the color your vehicle was painted at the factory. It provides a starting point for the paint formula. Our painters use the paint code and their experience to blend a color that matches your vehicle. Your vehicle will be spray painted in a downdraft booth providing you with a factory paint match… both color and texture.

13. Do you offer a warranty on your paint?
Yes, BASF, the manufacturer of our paint products, provides a Lifetime Nationwide Warranty. Please click on Vision Plus Warranty to read a complete copy of our paint warranty or to print a copy.

14. Is my vehicle a total loss?
The decision to total a vehicle is made by the insurance company handling the claim not by the body shop. Each insurance company has their own specific guidelines which they utilize to determine if a vehicle is a total. In many instances a vehicle will be totaled if the cost to repair equals or exceeds 75% to 80% of the vehicle’s ACV (actual cash value).Please click on Total Loss for a more complete explanation and also for several websites that will help you determine the Actual Cash Value or the amount you will be paid by the insurance company for your vehicle if they determine it is a total loss.

15. What do I do with my insurance check?
Please keep the check until the repairs on your vehicle are complete. We will need to collect it along with any applicable deductible. If you are uncomfortable keeping the check we can hold it for you until your vehicle is ready for delivery. You can endorse the check over to Lovett’s Body Shop at that time. If your insurance check has a lien holder listed on it you can have the lien holder sign off the check prior to picking up your vehicle.

16. When do I pay my deductible?
You pay your deductible to Lovett’s at the time you pick up your vehicle. The amount of deductible that you will be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. Please check with your agent or adjuster if you are unsure of the amount. Lovett’s accepts VISA, Master Card, Discover, a debit card or cash for the deductible. LOVETT’S DOES NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS.

17. How soon after my vehicle is painted can I wash and wax it?
FIRST 30 DAYS…Wash by hand using only clear water. Be sure to wash your vehicle in the shade.  Please do not “dry wipe” your vehicle. It can scratch the finish.
Please do not use a commercial car wash. The stiff brushes and sponges can damage your paint. Please avoid parking under trees which are likely to attract birds. Bird droppings have a high acid content which will damage fresh paint. Tree sap can also spot fresh paint. Please do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid or windshield solvent on the new paint.

AFTER 30 DAYS…Wash your vehicle using a mild car wash solution or mild dishwashing detergent and soft cloth.

AFTER 90 DAYS… Waiting 90 days will allow your paint to cure completely. At this time we recommend that you wax your car. Keeping a coat of wax on your vehicle will protect the finish and help keep it looking like new.