Frequently Asked Questions

About AJ's Custom Body and Paint

How long has AJ's been in business? AJ's Custom Body and Paint is a family owned and operated collision repair shop that has been serving Price, Utah and the surrounding communities for over 43 years. We were voted the #1 Auto Shop in Carbon County among both body and mechanic shops.

Are your technicians certified? Yes. AJ's is an I-CAR Gold Class certified shop, which is the collision repair industry's highest standard for training and education. All of our technicians maintain current I-CAR certifications and stay up to date on the latest repair procedures for modern vehicles. I-CAR Gold Class certification means our team is trained on current repair techniques, safety systems, and vehicle-specific procedures — giving you confidence that your vehicle is being repaired correctly.

What makes AJ's different from other body shops? A few things set us apart. We have been doing this for over four decades in the same community, so our reputation is everything to us. We operate our own rental car fleet so you are never stranded without transportation. We handle the majority of insurance communication on your behalf so the process is as stress-free as possible. We use advanced digital color matching technology to ensure your paint blends perfectly. And we stand behind every repair with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Where are you located and what areas do you serve? We are located at 500 S Highway 55 in Price, Utah 84501. We serve customers throughout central and southeastern Utah, including Price, Helper, Wellington, Huntington, Castle Dale, Emery, Ferron, and surrounding communities in Carbon and Emery counties. Customers also travel to us from further distances including the Moab and San Juan County areas.

Estimates and Getting Started

Do I need an appointment for an estimate? No appointment is necessary for an estimate. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. We do ask that you arrive before 4:30 PM so we have adequate time to do a thorough evaluation of your vehicle. We will do our best to accommodate late walk-ins as well.

Can I get an estimate without bringing my car in? Yes. We offer photo estimates through our website and by email. You can submit photos of your vehicle's damage and we will provide a repair cost estimate based on what we can assess from the photos. Keep in mind that some damage is not visible until the vehicle is disassembled, so the final repair cost may differ once we have completed a full teardown inspection. You can submit photos through the estimate tool on our website or email them directly to us.

What happens after I get an estimate? Once we have your estimate, we will walk you through the scope of repairs, answer any questions, and help you understand your options. If you are filing an insurance claim, we will work directly with your insurance company to get the repair approved. If any additional damage is found during teardown that was not visible in the initial estimate, we write a supplement and communicate that to you and your insurer before proceeding.

What is a supplement? A supplement is an addition to your original repair estimate that covers damage discovered after we begin disassembling your vehicle. Hidden damage is common in collision repair — what looks like a minor dent on the surface can involve damage to underlying structure, brackets, or components that are not visible until parts are removed. We document all supplemental damage with photos and communicate it to both you and your insurance company before any additional work is performed.

Insurance Claims

Do you work with my insurance company? Yes. We work with all insurance companies. We are a Direct Repair Program (DRP) shop for Allstate, State Farm, Farm Bureau, and Nationwide, which means we have a pre-established relationship with those insurers that can streamline the claims and approval process. For all other insurance companies, we work directly with adjusters on your behalf to document damage, negotiate proper repair procedures, and advocate for a quality repair.

What does it mean that you are a DRP shop? Being a preferred or Direct Repair Program shop for an insurance company means we have met their standards for training, equipment, and quality, and have an established process for handling claims with them efficiently. For you as a customer, it typically means faster approvals, less paperwork, and a smoother overall experience.

Do I have to use the shop my insurance company recommends? No. In Utah, you have the legal right to choose any licensed repair facility you want, regardless of what your insurance company recommends. You are never required to use an insurer's preferred shop list. If your insurer directs you elsewhere, you can simply tell them you have chosen AJ's Custom Body and Paint and we will take it from there.

Will you handle communication with my insurance company? Yes. We handle the majority of communication with your insurance company throughout the repair process. This includes submitting estimates, negotiating supplements, advocating for proper OEM or approved repair procedures, and coordinating final billing. Our goal is to take that burden off your plate so you can focus on getting back to your normal routine.

What do I need to bring when I drop off my vehicle? Bring your claim number if you have one, your insurance card, your photo ID, and your deductible payment. Your deductible is required at vehicle pickup. If you are paying out of pocket rather than through insurance, we will provide you with a complete estimate before any work begins.

What if the insurance company wants to pay for less than what the repair actually costs? This is one of the most common challenges in collision repair and one we handle regularly. We document all damage thoroughly with photos and written justification and communicate directly with the adjuster to negotiate the proper repair. We will always inform you of any disputes and will never cut corners on a repair to meet an inadequate insurance payment without your full knowledge and consent.

The Repair Process

How long will my repair take? Repair time varies depending on the extent of damage, parts availability, and insurance approval timelines. Minor repairs may take a few days while more significant structural or paint work can take several weeks. We will give you our best estimate of repair time when you drop off your vehicle and keep you updated as the job progresses. Parts delays and insurance supplements are the most common causes of timeline changes, and we will communicate those to you as soon as they come up.

How do you match my paint color? We use a COLORTRONIC digital color matching camera that analyzes the exact paint color on your vehicle. That data is processed through BASF software and compared against a comprehensive color database. A custom formula is then created and fine-tuned to match your specific vehicle. This technology significantly reduces the chance of paint match irregularities that can occur with older mixing methods.

Do you repair all makes and models? Yes. We repair all makes and models of passenger vehicles, trucks, and SUVs. Our I-CAR certified technicians are trained on current repair procedures for domestic and import vehicles including modern vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), aluminum body panels, and high-strength steel structures.

Will my car be cleaned before I pick it up? Yes. We clean vehicles before returning them to customers. Many of our customers have noted this as a detail they appreciate.

Rental Cars

Do you have rental cars available? Yes. AJ's owns and operates its own small fleet of rental cars and SUVs for customer use during repairs. This is a significant advantage in the Price area where third-party rental providers are limited. Availability is subject to fleet availability at the time of your repair, so we recommend asking about rental options when you schedule your drop-off.

Does my insurance cover a rental car? Many insurance policies include rental car coverage as part of a comprehensive or collision claim. Check your policy or ask your insurance representative whether rental reimbursement is included and what the daily limit is. If your policy includes rental coverage, your insurer will typically reimburse the rental cost directly or pay us on your behalf. If you do not have rental coverage, rental rates are charged separately.

Warranty

Do you warranty your repairs? Yes. AJ's Custom Body and Paint provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty on our collision repair work. This covers defects in our workmanship and materials for as long as the original owner maintains sole ownership of the vehicle.

What specifically is covered under the warranty? The warranty covers the following on repairs listed in your original repair order:

Paint and refinishing: Lifetime coverage against cracking, peeling, blistering, or excessive fading caused by defects in our work
Body and structural repairs: Lifetime coverage on metalwork, welding, and structural repairs including frame and unibody work, against cracking, flaking, pitting, or deterioration
Mechanical repairs: Lifetime coverage on mechanical components directly related to the original collision damage that we repaired
Parts: New parts carry the manufacturer's warranty (typically one year). Our labor for installing parts is warranted for one year against workmanship defects

What is not covered? The warranty does not cover damage from subsequent accidents, normal wear and tear, rock chips or road debris, rust or corrosion, environmental damage such as hail or acid rain, repairs or modifications performed by another shop, or issues unrelated to the original repair. Full warranty terms are provided with your repair order at the time of vehicle pickup and are available upon request.

Is the warranty transferable if I sell my vehicle? No. The warranty applies only to the original owner of the vehicle as named on the repair order and is non-transferable. Any change in vehicle ownership voids the warranty.

How do I make a warranty claim? To make a warranty claim, notify us in writing within 30 days of first noticing the issue by emailing Ajscustom@hotmail.com or by certified mail to 500 S HWY 55, Price, UT 84501. You can also bring the vehicle in during business hours and speak with Joe, Austin, or Mike directly. You will need your original repair order number and proof of continued ownership. We will inspect the vehicle and evaluate the claim. If approved, all warranty repairs are performed at no cost to you at our shop.

Payment

What forms of payment do you accept? We accept cash, cashier's checks, and credit cards. We also accept tap-to-pay and Apple Pay. We can send payment links for remote or advance payment.

Is there a fee for paying by credit card? A 3.5% convenience fee applies to credit card payments on amounts over $500. There is no fee for cash or cashier's check payments.

When is my deductible due? Your deductible is due at the time of vehicle pickup. We cannot release the vehicle until the deductible has been paid.

Do you offer financing? Yes. We offer repair financing and deductible financing through Sunbit. Sunbit allows you to spread the cost of your repair or deductible over time. A flat 5% fee on the financed amount is passed through to the customer. There are no other fees associated with the financing. Ask us about Sunbit when you drop off your vehicle or call us to learn more before your appointment.

Towing and Recovery

Do you offer towing services? Yes. AJ's provides towing services for cars, motorcycles, SUVs, and light trucks in the Price area and surrounding communities. We can pick up your vehicle after an accident and return it to you after repairs are complete.

Do you do offroad recovery? Yes. AJ's is the only towing service in the area that specializes in offroad recovery. We handle offroad recovery on a case by case basis throughout the surrounding areas of central and southeastern Utah. Recovery situations vary widely in complexity, terrain, and equipment requirements, so we evaluate each situation individually. We do not handle heavy recovery operations.

How is offroad recovery priced? Recovery is billed at an hourly rate. Additional charges may apply depending on terrain, conditions, distance, and the complexity of the recovery. We will discuss pricing with you before committing to a recovery operation so there are no surprises.

How do I request a tow or recovery? Call us at (435) 637-2060. For after-hours emergencies, call the same number and follow the prompts.

Contact and Location

What are your hours? Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We do not schedule estimates after 4:30 PM but will do our best to assist walk-ins who arrive before closing.

How do I reach you?

Phone: (435) 637-2060
Email: Ajscustom@hotmail.com
Address: 500 S Highway 55, Price, UT 84501
Website: ajsbodyandpaint.com

Do you have a waiting area? Yes. You are welcome to wait at the shop during a drop-off or estimate appointment.

Can I get updates on my repair remotely? Yes. Our team provides regular updates throughout the repair process by phone or text. If you have questions between updates, you can call or email us at any time during business hours.

AJ's Custom Body and Paint has proudly served Price, Utah and central and southeastern Utah for over 43 years. We are I-CAR Gold Class certified, voted #1 Auto Shop in Carbon County, and committed to returning your vehicle to pre-accident condition with workmanship we stand behind for life.