Getting into a car accident is stressful enough on its own. Then comes the part nobody prepares you for — navigating the insurance claim process. What do you say? Who do you call first? Do you have to use the shop your insurance recommends? What if the damage is worse than it looks?
If you’re asking any of these questions right now, you’re in the right place. At CCS Autobody Repair in Englewood, CO, we’ve helped hundreds of drivers navigate the insurance process from start to finish. This guide walks you through exactly what to do — step by step — so you can get your vehicle restored without the runaround.
Step 1 — Prioritize Safety First
Before anything else: make sure everyone is safe. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately. Move vehicles out of traffic if it’s safe to do so, and turn on your hazard lights.
Once everyone is accounted for, don’t leave the scene until you’ve done the following:
- Called the police and obtained a report number (in Colorado, a police report is strongly recommended for any accident involving damage or injury)
- Exchanged insurance information, driver’s license numbers, and contact details with all other drivers involved
- Taken photos — lots of them. Capture every angle of the damage, the position of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries
- Collected contact information from any witnesses present
The more documentation you have from the scene, the stronger your claim will be. Don’t rely on memory — photograph everything before anything is moved.
Step 2 — Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident — ideally the same day. Most policies require prompt reporting, and delaying can complicate your claim.
When you call, have the following ready:
- Your policy number
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- A description of what happened
- The other driver’s insurance information and license plate number
- Your police report number
Be factual and straightforward when describing the accident. Stick to what you know — don’t speculate about fault or exaggerate damage. Let the facts speak for themselves.
Your insurer will open a claim and assign you a claim number. Write this down. You’ll reference it throughout the entire process.
Step 3 — Understand Who Pays for What
This is where a lot of people get confused. Here’s a simple breakdown of how Colorado auto insurance claims typically work:
If the other driver was at fault: Their liability insurance should cover your vehicle repairs and any medical costs, up to their policy limits. You’ll file a third-party claim with their insurance company.
If you were at fault — or fault is disputed: You’ll file through your own collision coverage (if you have it). You’ll pay your deductible, and your insurer covers the rest up to your policy limits.
If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured: Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage kicks in — another reason it’s worth having in Colorado, where uninsured drivers are more common than most people realize.
If you’re unsure which route applies to your situation, call us. We work with insurance adjusters every day and can help you understand your options before you commit to anything.
Step 4 — Know Your Right to Choose Your Own Body Shop
This is one of the most important things to understand — and one of the most commonly misunderstood.
In Colorado, you have the legal right to choose the auto body shop that repairs your vehicle. Your insurance company cannot legally require you to use a specific shop. They may recommend a shop from their “preferred network” — but that recommendation benefits them, not necessarily you.
Preferred network shops often agree to lower labor rates and faster turnaround times in exchange for the volume of business the insurance company sends them. That arrangement isn’t always in your best interest as a vehicle owner.
When you choose CCS Autobody Repair, you’re choosing a shop that works for you — not for your insurance company. We advocate for the proper repair on your behalf, document everything thoroughly, and won’t cut corners to hit an insurer’s preferred price point.
You can tell your insurance company where you want your vehicle repaired. Then call us.
Step 5 — Get Your Vehicle Inspected and Estimated
Once your claim is open, your insurance company will arrange for a damage assessment. This may happen one of two ways:
An adjuster comes to you: An insurance adjuster inspects your vehicle — either in person or via a photo-based virtual inspection — and produces an initial repair estimate.
You bring the vehicle to the shop: The body shop inspects the vehicle and produces their own estimate, which is then submitted to the insurance company for approval.
At CCS Autobody Repair, we handle both. We provide thorough, documented estimates and communicate directly with your adjuster throughout the process. We also perform a complete disassembly inspection once your vehicle is in the shop — because collision damage is often deeper than any surface-level assessment can reveal.
If we find additional damage not included in the original estimate, we document it, photograph it, and submit a supplement to your insurance company. This is completely normal and a legitimate part of the claims process. A reputable shop will always do this rather than absorb the cost or ignore the damage.
Step 6 — Review and Approve the Repair Plan
Before any work begins, you should receive a clear breakdown of what repairs are being made and what parts are being used. Ask questions. Understand what you’re approving.
Key things to confirm:
- Are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts being used, or aftermarket substitutes? In many cases, your policy entitles you to OEM parts — especially on newer vehicles.
- Is the repair plan addressing all documented damage, including structural and mechanical issues?
- What is the estimated timeline for completion?
At CCS, we walk every customer through the repair plan before we begin. Transparency is part of how we operate.
Step 7 — Understand Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. Deductibles typically range from $250 to $1,000 depending on your policy.
A few things to know:
- If the other driver was at fault and their insurance is paying, you generally won’t owe a deductible
- If you’re going through your own collision coverage, your deductible is due when you pick up your vehicle
- Never let a shop offer to waive your deductible — this is insurance fraud in Colorado and can put both you and the shop at legal risk
Step 8 — Pick Up Your Vehicle and Do a Final Walkthrough
When your vehicle is ready, don’t just grab the keys and go. Do a thorough walkthrough with a technician before you leave the shop.
Check the following:
- Paint color and finish consistency across all repaired panels
- Panel gaps and alignment — doors, hood, trunk, and fenders should all sit flush
- All lights, sensors, and electronics are functioning
- Interior is clean and undamaged
- All trim pieces, emblems, and seals are properly reinstalled
At CCS Autobody Repair, every vehicle goes through a multi-point quality inspection before it’s released. We walk you through the completed repair so you understand exactly what was done and feel confident driving away.
One Shop with Zero Runaround.
Filing an insurance claim after a car accident doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With the right body shop in your corner, most of the heavy lifting gets handled for you.
At CCS Autobody Repair in Englewood, CO, we work with all major insurance carriers and handle the adjuster communication, documentation, and supplemental claims so you don’t have to. Our job is to restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition — and to make the process as painless as possible for you.
If you’ve recently been in an accident or need help understanding your options, give us a call. We’ll give you a free estimate, answer your questions honestly, and take it from there.
CCS Autobody Repair — Englewood, CO Licensed · Insured · All Major Insurance Accepted · Free Estimates Driven by Quality. Restored with Pride.