Burnside Collision FAQs

Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. If you have not yet reported the accident and need assistance in doing so, please come in or call us to get help at every step of the way.

No. Section 167C of the New York State Law states you have the right to have your car repaired in the registered shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot direct you otherwise.

Not at all. Especially if you're not comfortable driving your vehicle while it is damaged. Contact us at (516) 371-3161. We're available 24 hours a day, and we will promptly dispatch a tow truck or a flatbed to assist you in getting your vehicle to our facility.

We generally order your vehicle’s parts at the time we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later unless your vehicle is found unsafe to drive. In this case, we would help you arrange for a rental vehicle as soon as possible. This enables us to provide a quicker turnaround time.

Not necessarily. A car is a total loss only when the price of the repairs exceeds the insurance company’s determined value of your vehicle. Nowadays, most cars are built using Unibody (frame and body as one) construction.

Our highly skilled technicians can return your vehicle to its original factory specifications with the aid of our state-of-the-art measuring system. Frame sections can also be replaced when it's determined that it's bent beyond repair.

This is very common and is usually caused due to the difference in the method of repair. Just ask us to explain, and we'll be more than happy to do so.

Today’s modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. 

Burnside Collision has teamed up with The DuPont Performance Alliance to provide our customers with the finest paint system available and constantly upgrades its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle’s paint matches. 

We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.

Yes. Just let us know what other work you would like done so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

We can give you an estimate of the time it will take to complete the repairs for your vehicle. Be sure to check with us for your vehicle's specifics.

Yes, we would be happy to provide this service to you. We want each customer’s visit to be a positive experience and will work diligently toward that goal. We provide pickup and delivery services.

If you need a rental car, we can help you make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that option on your policy or if you are the claimant.

Check your policy or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are. In any event, we can arrange for an on-site rental pickup.

You'll be notified when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to contact us at any point during the repair process if you have questions or concerns.

Yes. Burnside Collision guarantees all repairs with a lifetime warranty.

The amount of deductible that you'll be responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry broad collision and you were not at fault, your insurance company will most likely waive your deductible.

Insurance companies determine fault by your account of the accident when you make the claim, and by reviewing the accident report filed with the police department.

If you aren’t sure about your deductible, you can call your agent, and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or you'll be responsible to pay this when you pick up your vehicle.

If your deductible is not waived, it will be your responsibility to pay Burnside Collision when you pick up your vehicle.

If you aren’t sure about your deductible, you can call your agent, and he can tell you whether your insurance company has waived your deductible or whether it will be your responsibility.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, cash, insurance company checks, and certified funds.

Parts that wear out and need replacement with time and use (tires, batteries, and suspension parts) are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during the repair process.

These betterment charges are determined by your insurance company and are pro-rated based on actual miles on your vehicle.

• Wash the vehicle by hand with cool water and a very mild car wash solution using a soft cloth or sponge
• Always use clean, fresh water
• Wash your vehicle in the shade
• Do not use a commercial car wash
• Stiff brushes or sponges could mar the finish and damage the surface
• Do not dry wipe your vehicle (dry wiping can scratch the finish)
• Do not drive on gravel roads
• Chipping the finish is easily done in the first 30 days
• Avoid parking under trees and utility lines, which are likely to attract birds
• Bird droppings have a high acid content and will damage a freshly painted surface
• Also, tree sap can mar or spot a freshly painted surface
• Do not spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or windshield solvent on the new finish
• Do not scrape ice or snow from the newly painted surface