Working With Insurance

We Handle the Hard Part

Dealing with an insurance claim after an accident is stressful. Between adjusters, claim numbers, rental cars, and repair approvals, the process can feel overwhelming — especially when you are already dealing with the disruption of not having your vehicle.

At AJ's Custom Body and Paint, we handle the majority of insurance communication on your behalf. Our team has worked with every major insurance company for over 43 years. We know the process, we know what your vehicle deserves, and we advocate for a proper repair every step of the way.

You should not have to fight with your insurance company to get your car fixed right. That is our job.

Insurance Companies We Work With

AJ's is a Direct Repair Program (DRP) shop for the following insurers:

Allstate
State Farm
Farm Bureau
Nationwide

Being a DRP shop means we have a pre-approved relationship with these insurers, which typically results in faster claim approvals, less back-and-forth, and a smoother process for you from start to finish.

We also work with all other insurance companies, including but not limited to GEICO, Progressive, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Travelers, and any other carrier. Non-DRP claims simply require a bit more coordination between us and the adjuster, but the process and quality of repair are identical.

Your Right to Choose Your Repair Shop

This is one of the most important things to know after an accident:

In Utah, you have the legal right to choose any licensed repair facility you want — regardless of what your insurance company tells you.

Insurance companies may recommend or "steer" you toward shops on their preferred vendor list. You are not required to use those shops. If your insurer suggests another facility, simply tell them you have chosen AJ's Custom Body and Paint and provide them our information. We will take it from there.

Your vehicle. Your choice.

How the Insurance Repair Process Works

Step 1 — Report your claim Contact your insurance company to report the accident and open a claim. They will assign you a claim number. Write this down — you will need it.

Step 2 — Bring your vehicle to AJ's Bring your vehicle to our shop at 500 S Highway 55 in Price. No appointment is needed for an estimate. If your vehicle is not driveable, we can tow it for you. If you have photos of the damage, you can also submit a photo estimate through our website or by email before coming in.

Step 3 — We write the estimate Our team performs a thorough inspection and documents all visible damage. We submit the estimate directly to your insurance company and communicate with the adjuster on your behalf.

Step 4 — Insurance approval Your insurer reviews and approves the repair estimate. For our DRP insurance partners, this process is often faster due to our pre-established relationship. For other carriers, we work directly with the assigned adjuster to get approval in place.

Step 5 — Teardown and supplements Once your vehicle is disassembled, we often find hidden damage that was not visible in the initial estimate. This is normal and expected in collision repair. We document all additional damage with photos, write a supplement, and submit it to your insurance company before any additional work is performed. We keep you informed throughout this process.

Step 6 — Repairs Once all approvals are in place, repairs begin. Our I-CAR Gold Class certified technicians perform all structural, body, mechanical, and paint work using proper repair procedures and quality materials.

Step 7 — Paint and finish We use COLORTRONIC digital color matching technology and BASF refinishing products to ensure your paint matches perfectly. Every painted surface is inspected before the vehicle moves to final assembly.

Step 8 — Quality inspection and delivery Before we call you, we perform a final quality inspection of all repairs. Your vehicle is cleaned inside and out. At pickup, we walk you through what was repaired, provide your Limited Lifetime Warranty documentation, and collect your deductible.

Understanding Your Deductible

Your deductible is the amount you agreed to pay out of pocket when you set up your insurance policy. It is due at the time you pick up your vehicle. AJ's collects the deductible on behalf of your insurer — it is not an additional fee we charge.

If your deductible is a financial hardship, ask us about financing through Sunbit. We offer deductible financing with a flat 5% fee on the financed amount and no other fees. Many customers find this helpful when a large deductible is due all at once.

What Is a Supplement?

A supplement is an update to your original repair estimate that covers damage discovered after your vehicle is disassembled. Collision damage is rarely limited to what is visible on the surface. Underlying structural components, brackets, clips, sensors, and mechanical parts are often affected by impacts that look minor from the outside.

When we find additional damage:

We photograph and document everything
We write a detailed supplement
We submit it to your insurance company and negotiate approval
We contact you to explain what was found and what it means for your repair timeline

We never perform additional work without notifying you first.

What If My Insurance Company Underpays?

Insurance companies sometimes approve less than what a proper repair actually costs. This is one of the most common challenges in collision repair and one we deal with regularly on behalf of our customers.

When this happens, we:

Provide detailed documentation and photos supporting the full scope of repair
Communicate directly with the adjuster to negotiate appropriate payment
Advocate for the use of correct repair procedures and quality parts
Inform you of the situation and your options at every step

We will never cut corners on a repair to match an inadequate insurance payment without your full knowledge and consent. You deserve a vehicle that is restored to pre-accident condition — and we fight for that on your behalf.

Rental Cars During Your Repair

AJ's owns and operates its own fleet of rental cars and SUVs, available to customers during their repair. This is a significant advantage in the Price area where third-party rental providers are not readily available nearby.

If your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, your insurer will typically cover the cost of your rental up to your policy's daily limit for the duration of the repair. We coordinate rental billing directly with your insurer when coverage is in place.

If your policy does not include rental coverage, rental vehicles are available at a daily rate charged separately. Ask us about availability and rates when you drop off your vehicle.

Cash Pay and Out-of-Pocket Repairs

Not every repair goes through insurance. Whether your damage falls below your deductible, you prefer not to file a claim, or the damage is cosmetic and unrelated to an accident, we handle out-of-pocket repairs the same way we handle insurance work — with full transparency on cost before we begin.

We provide a complete written estimate before any work starts. If additional damage is found during the repair, we contact you before proceeding with any work that was not in the original estimate.

Frequently Asked Insurance Questions

My insurance company said I have to use their shop. Is that true? No. Utah law gives you the right to choose your own repair facility. You can tell your insurer you have chosen AJ's and we will handle the rest.

What if the other driver's insurance is paying? The process is largely the same. We work with the at-fault driver's insurer (the third-party carrier) directly. You generally do not owe a deductible when the other driver is at fault and their insurance is covering the repair, though this can vary by situation.

Do I need to get multiple estimates? Utah law does not require you to get multiple estimates. One estimate from the shop you have chosen is sufficient to begin the claims process.

What if my car is totaled? If your insurance company determines that the cost of repairs exceeds the value of your vehicle, they may declare it a total loss. In that case, they will offer you a settlement based on the actual cash value of your vehicle. We can help you understand the process and, in some cases, help document repair costs if you believe the total loss determination is incorrect.

Can I keep my car if it is totaled? In some cases, yes. If you choose to keep a vehicle that has been declared a total loss, your insurance company will typically deduct the salvage value from your settlement. This is a decision between you and your insurer.

What information do I need when I come in? Bring your claim number, insurance card, photo ID, and a general description of how the accident occurred. If you have photos of the accident scene or the other vehicle, those can also be helpful. We will take it from there.

Contact Us

If you have been in an accident and are not sure where to start, call us. We are happy to walk you through the process over the phone before you even come in.

Phone: (435) 637-2060
Email: Ajscustom@hotmail.com
Address: 500 S Highway 55, Price, UT 84501
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

AJ's Custom Body and Paint is an I-CAR Gold Class certified collision repair shop serving Price, Utah and central and southeastern Utah for over 43 years. We are a preferred DRP shop for Allstate, State Farm, Farm Bureau, and Nationwide, and work with all insurance carriers.