How do I use my insurance for an auto body repair?
Report the accident to your insurer and get a claim number, choose your repair shop, and let the shop and insurer agree on the repair cost. On a covered collision claim, you pay your deductible and your insurer pays the rest.
- You choose the shop: under New York Insurance Law § 2610, your insurer cannot require repairs at a particular shop.
- Deadlines protect you: if your insurer wants to inspect the car, it must do so and make a good-faith offer within six business days of your claim, as long as the car is available.
- Your shop can help: Prestige Auto Body handles insurance claims from start to finish, from the first estimate to the final paperwork.
The Collision Claim Process, Step by Step
Every collision claim under your own policy in New York follows the same basic path.
1. Report the accident
Call your insurer, report the loss, and write down your claim number. If damage is over $1,000 or anyone was hurt, you must also file an MV-104 accident report with the DMV.
2. Choose your repair shop
Tell your insurer where you want the car repaired. Your insurer’s estimate must include a printed notice that you have the right to use the shop of your choice.
3. Inspection and estimate
If your insurer inspects, it has six business days to do so and make a good-faith offer, and you or your designated representative must receive its detailed written estimate in that window.
4. Agree on the repair cost
Your insurer must negotiate in good faith. You can sign a form naming your repair shop as your designated representative so it can negotiate the repair cost for you.
5. Repairs and hidden damage
If more damage is found once panels come off, the shop reports it and your insurer must reinspect within two business days, or four if the work was sublet.
6. Payment and pickup
Your insurer must pay within five business days after you accept its offer. You pay your deductible and sign the Certification of Automobile Repairs with the shop.
Sources: NY Department of Financial Services claims guide and Regulation 64 (11 NYCRR 216.7).
How Long Does an Insurance Approval Take in New York?
New York Regulation 64 sets specific deadlines for collision and comprehensive claims under your own policy. If an insurer misses its six-business-day inspection window, it loses the right to inspect before repairs, and negotiations are generally limited to labor and parts prices.
| What the insurer must do | Deadline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect damage and make a good-faith offer | 6 business days after notice of claim | Applies if the insurer chooses to inspect and the car is available during business hours |
| Deliver its detailed written estimate | Within the same 6 business days | Goes to you or your designated representative |
| Ask for your estimate instead of inspecting (minor losses) | Request within 3 business days of notice | It may then inspect within 4 business days of receiving your estimate |
| Reinspect hidden damage found during repair | 2 business days after notice | 4 business days if the repair work was sublet elsewhere |
| Pay after you accept its offer | 5 business days | Or 3 business days after receiving a completed proof of loss |
| Explain any delay | After 30 days unresolved | Written explanation, updated every 30 days |
| Total loss offers | 5 extra business days | Added to the inspection and offer deadline |
Scroll sideways to see the full table on mobile. Source: 11 NYCRR 216.7(b), (c), and (d). Business days exclude weekends and New York State legal holidays.
Who Handles What in Your Claim
| Step | You | Prestige Auto Body | Your insurer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the accident and open the claim | You | Helps you gather photos and damage details | Assigns a claim number |
| Choose where the car is repaired | You decide | — | Cannot require a particular shop |
| Inspection and written estimate | Make the car available | Hosts the inspection and reviews the insurer’s estimate | Within 6 business days |
| Negotiate the repair cost | You, or a shop you designate in writing | Can negotiate repair cost if you sign a designated representative form | Must negotiate in good faith |
| Hidden damage during repair | — | Documents and reports the added damage | Reinspects within 2 business days |
| Payment and pickup | Pay your deductible; sign the repair certification | Completes repairs; signs the repair certification | Pays within 5 business days of acceptance |
A repair shop acting as your designated representative must be registered with the New York DMV and can only negotiate the amount needed to repair your vehicle.
Preferred Shops and Direct Repair Programs
Many insurers have direct repair program (DRP) shops they may suggest. In New York, those suggestions never limit your choice.
You can say no
An insurer cannot require that repairs be made at a particular shop, and its estimate must print a notice of your right to choose. Read Insurance Law § 2610.
The back-up shop rule
If you ask, your insurer must name a registered shop that will repair your car at its estimated price. Outside Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and cities of 100,000 or more, that shop must be within 25 miles of where the car is kept.
If you use their shop
When you repair at an insurer-recommended shop for the insurer’s estimated price, the insurer must restore the car at no added cost if the repair does not meet accepted standards.
Help if a claim stalls
You can file a complaint with the NY Department of Financial Services. Visit the DFS complaint page.
How Prestige Auto Body Handles Your Claim
From customer care associates to knowledgeable estimators, our Poughkeepsie team handles insurance claims from start to finish for drivers throughout Dutchess County.
Free estimates
Start in person or by sending photos online. Bring your claim number and we will take it from there with your insurer.
Less time without a car
On-site rental vehicles and towing arrangements keep you moving while your car is in the shop.
Repairs backed for life
Every repair comes with a lifetime warranty, plus auto and SUV detailing and repair financing.
Part of VIVE Collision
Prestige joined VIVE Collision in 2023. See hours, directions, and services on the Prestige Auto Body location page.
Start Your Insurance Repair
Have your claim number ready and send photos of the damage for a free estimate. Our Poughkeepsie team will handle the rest with your insurer.
729 Dutchess Tpke, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 | Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM, Sat 9 AM–12 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
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