Question 1

I was rear-ended — what happens when I bring the car in?

Accepted Answer

Most rear-end repairs take 5 to 10 business days once parts arrive. We start with a free damage assessment: a walk-around, photos, and a teardown when the impact may have pushed damage behind the bumper cover. From there we write an estimate, send it to your insurer if a claim is open, and give you a realistic repair window.

Question 2

Can you replace a broken headlight, tail light, mirror, or grille on its own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lighting, mirrors, grilles, and trim are common standalone jobs and often same-day or next-day once the part is in hand. If the housing broke because of a collision, we also check the mounting tabs and surrounding panel so the new part sits flush instead of rattling loose later.

Question 3

Do you fix rust and corrosion, or only accident damage?

Accepted Answer

Both. Brooklyn winters and road salt are hard on rocker panels, wheel arches, and quarter panels. We cut out the affected metal, weld in fresh panel sections, apply corrosion protection, and refinish to match — catching it early keeps the repair far smaller.

Question 4

What is paintless dent repair, and is my dent a candidate?

Accepted Answer

Paintless dent repair removes dents by working the metal back to shape from behind the panel, with no filler and no repainting. It works when the paint is intact and the metal isn't stretched or sharply creased — door dings, shallow parking-lot dents, and hail dents are ideal. If the paint is cracked, the panel needs conventional repair and refinishing.

Question 5

How much does dent repair cost and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

A single door ding repaired with PDR is usually the least expensive body work you can buy and can often be done the same day. Hail damage is priced per dent and per panel, and dents needing filler and paint typically take 2 to 4 business days for drying and blending. Every estimate is free and given before we start.

Question 6

Will the dent come back later?

Accepted Answer

No. A dent repaired correctly — whether with PDR or with filler and refinishing — is permanent. What does show up later is rust, and that only happens when broken paint is left unsealed, which is why we recommend addressing dents with paint damage sooner rather than later.

Question 7

Can a scratch be polished out, or does it need paint?

Accepted Answer

Clear-coat scratches polish out; anything deeper needs paint. If the scratch is only in the clear coat, machine polishing and wet sanding usually remove it completely. Once the scratch reaches the base coat or primer — a fingernail catches in it — the area needs to be refinished and blended into the surrounding panel so the repair is invisible.

Question 8

How do you make new paint match the rest of my car?

Accepted Answer

We pull your vehicle's paint code, then mix and spray-out a test card to confirm the match against the actual panel, since sun exposure shifts color over the years. The new paint is then blended into adjacent panels rather than stopping at a hard edge, so there is no visible line in daylight.

Question 9

My clear coat is peeling and the roof looks faded — is that repairable?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a peeling roof or hood is repairable, but the whole panel has to be refinished, not polished. Peeling clear coat means the top layer has failed and has to be sanded back and resprayed across the whole panel; spot-repairing it will simply peel again at the edges. Roofs and hoods fail first because they take the most sun.

Question 10

Can a cracked bumper be repaired instead of replaced?

Accepted Answer

Often yes. Most modern bumper covers are thermoplastic and can be plastic-welded, reinforced from behind, filled, and refinished for less than the cost of a new cover. Replacement makes more sense when the cracking is extensive, the mounting tabs are destroyed, or sensors are integrated into the damaged area.

Question 11

My bumper is misaligned and there's a gap on one side — what causes that?

Accepted Answer

A gap on one side means a part behind the bumper cover is damaged, not the cover itself. Uneven panel gaps after an impact usually mean something behind the cover moved: a broken bracket, a bent bumper reinforcement bar, or a shifted radiator support. Re-clipping the cover hides it temporarily, so we inspect and correct what's underneath before reinstalling.

Question 12

Do parking sensors and cameras still work after a bumper replacement?

Accepted Answer

They do once they're transferred correctly and, where the manufacturer requires it, recalibrated. Front and rear bumpers on newer vehicles carry parking sensors, blind-spot radar, and sometimes a camera, so we verify each one functions before the car goes back to you.

Question 13

How do I know if my frame or unibody is damaged?

Accepted Answer

The clearest signs of frame or unibody damage are uneven panel gaps, a door or trunk that no longer closes cleanly, a steering wheel that sits off-center, or a car that pulls to one side even after an alignment. After any moderate or heavy impact it's worth a free inspection, because structural damage isn't always visible from outside.

Question 14

Can a bent frame be straightened safely?

Accepted Answer

Most modern unibody structures can be brought back within factory tolerance on a measured frame bench using the manufacturer's repair procedures. When the damage exceeds those published limits, we tell you plainly rather than straightening it anyway — the structure is what protects you in the next collision.

Question 15

What's the difference between unibody and full-frame repair?

Accepted Answer

Unibody repair rebuilds the body shell itself; full-frame repair straightens a separate ladder frame under the body. Nearly all cars and crossovers are unibody, meaning the body shell itself is the structure, so repairs involve sectioning and welding specific reinforcements to spec. Most pickups and some large SUVs still ride on a separate ladder frame, which is straightened or replaced as its own component beneath the body.

Question 16

Do you repair electric and hybrid vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes — EVs and hybrids from Tesla, Rivian, and the major manufacturers all come through our Brooklyn shop. High-voltage vehicles are de-energized and isolated before body work begins, and battery enclosures, cooling lines, and charge ports are inspected even when the impact looks cosmetic.

Question 17

Is EV collision repair different from repairing a gas car?

Accepted Answer

Yes — EV collision repair follows the same metalwork but a different, high-voltage-safe sequence. High-voltage systems must be safely shut down first, many EV panels are aluminum and require separate tooling and a dedicated work area to avoid cross-contamination with steel, and structural adhesives and rivets often replace conventional welds.

Question 18

Should the battery be checked after a minor EV accident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Even a low-speed hit to the underbody, rocker, or rear quarter can affect the battery enclosure or its cooling circuit, and manufacturers publish specific inspection steps for that. We follow those procedures and document the results so nothing is assumed.

Question 19

What is ADAS calibration, and why does my car need it after a repair?

Accepted Answer

ADAS calibration re-aims your car's driver-assist cameras, radar, and sensors to factory specification after a repair. ADAS stands for advanced driver assistance systems — the cameras, radar, and sensors behind features like automatic braking, lane keeping, and blind-spot monitoring. Because those sensors aim in fractions of a degree, replacing a windshield, bumper, mirror, or grille means they must be recalibrated to factory specification or they measure the road incorrectly.

Question 20

A driver-assist warning light came on after my accident repair. What now?

Accepted Answer

Bring it in and don't clear the code. A persistent warning after a repair usually means a sensor is out of calibration, a connector wasn't fully seated, or a bracket behind the panel is bent. We scan the vehicle, read the stored fault, and correct the cause rather than resetting the light.

Question 21

My car pulls to one side and the steering feels off after an accident — is that alignment or structural?

Accepted Answer

A pull after an accident is often structural, not just alignment — which is why the two get checked together. A pull can come from a bent suspension component or a shifted structural point, and an alignment performed before the structure is verified simply moves the problem around. We measure the body first, then align, then recalibrate any affected driver-assist sensors.

Question 22

How do I get a collision damage estimate, and is it free?

Accepted Answer

Estimates are always free. You can walk in, book an appointment, or send photos for a digital estimate — clear shots from multiple angles plus one full-vehicle photo — and we respond within one business day. A photo estimate is preliminary until we can see the vehicle in person.

Question 23

Do you work with my insurance company, and can I choose this shop?

Accepted Answer

We work with every major carrier and handle estimates, supplements, and direct billing so you aren't chasing paperwork. Under New York State law the choice of repair shop is yours, regardless of which shops your insurer recommends.

Question 24

What happens if more damage is found once the car is apart, and when do I pay my deductible?

Accepted Answer

Extra damage is covered by a supplement to your insurer, and your deductible is due at pickup. Hidden damage is common on collision jobs. We document what we find, submit a supplement to your insurer, and only continue once it's approved, so the number never changes without your knowledge. Your deductible is due at pickup, and we accept major cards and cash.

Question 25

My car isn't safe to drive after a crash — can you pick it up?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Frontline Towing runs 24 hours a day across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We flat-bed the vehicle straight to our collision center so the damage assessment can begin instead of paying storage at an unrelated lot.

Question 26

Will my insurance cover the tow?

Accepted Answer

Most policies cover towing after a covered accident, and many also cover it under roadside assistance. We coordinate with your insurer so the tow is billed to the claim wherever the policy allows it.

Question 27

Can you pick up and deliver a car that's still driveable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you can't get away from work, we arrange pickup from your home or job and return the vehicle when the repair is complete. Just let us know the address and a time window when you request your estimate.

Question 28

Do you repair all makes and models?

Accepted Answer

Yes — European, Japanese, domestic, luxury, electric, plus pickups, minivans, and commercial vans. Each manufacturer publishes its own repair procedures, and we follow the ones written for your vehicle rather than applying a single generic method to everything.

Question 29

Do you use OEM parts or aftermarket parts?

Accepted Answer

OEM is our default whenever your policy allows it, and it matters most on structural panels and anything tied to driver-assist sensors. If your insurer specifies aftermarket or recycled parts, we tell you before installation and confirm the fit — you always know what's going on your car.

Question 30

Can you work on aluminum-bodied and luxury vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Aluminum panels need dedicated tooling and a separated work area so steel particles don't contaminate the metal and cause corrosion later. The same care applies to luxury finishes, where color matching and blending across multiple panels is what separates an invisible repair from an obvious one.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Collision & Auto Body Repair

Dent Repair / PDR

Paint & Refinishing

Bumper Repair

Frame & Structural Repair

EV Collision Repair

ADAS / Post-Collision Inspection

Insurance & Estimates

Accident Towing

Make & Model Collision Repair

Explore More Or Reach Out.

Didn't See Your Question?

Frequently Asked Questions.

Collision & Auto Body Repair

I was rear-ended — what happens when I bring the car in?+

Can you replace a broken headlight, tail light, mirror, or grille on its own?+

Do you fix rust and corrosion, or only accident damage?+

Dent Repair / PDR

What is paintless dent repair, and is my dent a candidate?+

How much does dent repair cost and how long does it take?+

Will the dent come back later?+

Paint & Refinishing

Can a scratch be polished out, or does it need paint?+

How do you make new paint match the rest of my car?+

My clear coat is peeling and the roof looks faded — is that repairable?+

Bumper Repair

Can a cracked bumper be repaired instead of replaced?+

My bumper is misaligned and there's a gap on one side — what causes that?+

Do parking sensors and cameras still work after a bumper replacement?+

Frame & Structural Repair

How do I know if my frame or unibody is damaged?+

Can a bent frame be straightened safely?+

What's the difference between unibody and full-frame repair?+

EV Collision Repair

Do you repair electric and hybrid vehicles?+

Is EV collision repair different from repairing a gas car?+

Should the battery be checked after a minor EV accident?+

ADAS / Post-Collision Inspection

What is ADAS calibration, and why does my car need it after a repair?+

A driver-assist warning light came on after my accident repair. What now?+

My car pulls to one side and the steering feels off after an accident — is that alignment or structural?+

Insurance & Estimates

How do I get a collision damage estimate, and is it free?+

Do you work with my insurance company, and can I choose this shop?+

What happens if more damage is found once the car is apart, and when do I pay my deductible?+

Accident Towing

My car isn't safe to drive after a crash — can you pick it up?+

Will my insurance cover the tow?+

Can you pick up and deliver a car that's still driveable?+

Make & Model Collision Repair

Do you repair all makes and models?+

Do you use OEM parts or aftermarket parts?+

Can you work on aluminum-bodied and luxury vehicles?+

Explore More Or Reach Out.

Didn't See Your Question?