Dents and Dings LLC

08/09/2026

Let this sink in. 🤦🏻

08/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F8i37c9Mo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞—𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞.

What happens when the damage report you relied on is allegedly changed after the inspection, resulting in a dramatically reduced claim payout?

In this powerful 60 Minutes investigation, whistleblowers, policyholders, and insurance professionals discuss allegations that some Hurricane Ian damage reports were altered, leaving homeowners with significantly lower settlements than expected.

The report also features APA Executive Director Doug Quinn, who emphasizes the importance of fairness and transparency in the claims process.

🎥 Watch the full investigation here: https://youtu.be/j5re7zBzrJk?si=ukIFsgE9iUqu8xd4

07/17/2026

Some important new educational material when you enter Dents and Dings.

07/10/2026

This is why it is imperative that your vehicle is repaired according to the vehicle manufacturer's repair procedures—not according to what an insurance company wants to pay for.

The vehicle manufacturer designed your vehicle, crash-tested it, engineered its safety systems, and wrote the repair procedures to restore it as closely as possible to its original safety performance after a collision.

Insurance companies didn't build your vehicle. They didn't crash-test it. They don't write the repair procedures.

Today's vehicles contain dozens of advanced safety systems—including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and many more. These systems often require specific repair methods and precise calibrations to function correctly.

When repair procedures are skipped or altered to reduce costs, your family's safety could be compromised.

At Dents & Dings, we believe your safety is worth more than an insurance company's bottom line. We follow OEM repair procedures because protecting you and your passengers is always our highest priority.

05/14/2026

If you have State Farm this is worth watching because it's going on across the entire country. And there's so much more going on that couldn't even begin to fit onto this news segment. Thank you WSOC-TV for reporting this serious problem in the collision repair industry.

One collision repair specialist says State Farm is now paying less for body shops to recalibrate safety features after repairs.

03/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DSaRB77Sv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A Third-Party Claimant Has the Right to Choose Their Repair Shop

If you’re involved in an accident and dealing with another driver’s insurer—such as State Farm—you may receive a standard form letter explaining your repair options. These letters often begin by stating that you are free to choose any repair shop. That statement is correct. However, the rest of the language can sometimes create confusion about a vehicle owner’s responsibilities and risks.

The Right to Choose Your Repair Facility:

Consumers have the right to choose the repair facility they trust. This applies whether you are the policyholder or a third-party claimant. Insurers cannot require you to use a specific repair shop.

Your vehicle is your property, and only you can authorize repairs. The shop you choose works for you—not the insurance company.

The Misconception About “Discussing the Estimate”:

Some letters, like the one shown here, state that it is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to discuss the insurance company’s estimate with the repair shop before authorizing repairs.

In reality, the vehicle owner has NO obligation to negotiate or interpret an insurance estimate. That is not the consumer’s role. A third party claimant has NO responsibility other than to have their vehicle repaired correctly. There is NO value in state farms estimate! They don't repair cars!

A professional collision repair facility evaluates the damage, researches manufacturer repair procedures, and prepares its own repair plan. If there are differences between the shop’s repair plan and the insurer’s estimate...the shop may assist the vehicle owner in navigating the claims process.

Insurance Estimates Are Not Repair Blueprints:

An insurance estimate is simply the insurer’s opinion of the cost of repairs based on a preliminary inspection (usually photos). It is not a repair plan and it does not dictate the correct way to repair a vehicle. In other words, insurers are legally bound to set aside some funds to pay for the loss (reserve of loss). Those opinions of the loss amount are most often determined by AI or someone sitting in a cubicle in middle America with a degree in elementary education.

Proper repairs should be based on manufacturer repair procedures, safety requirements, and the actual damage discovered during the repair process.

Language That Shifts Risk to the Customer:

Letters may also state that the customer could be responsible for charges the insurer does not agree to pay.

Statements like this can create concern for vehicle owners because they appear to shift financial risk onto the consumer. A third-party claimant should not feel pressured to choose a repair shop based solely on whether it agrees with the insurer’s estimate.

The goal of a proper repair is to restore the vehicle safely and correctly—not simply to meet the lowest estimate.

The Bottom Line:

If you are a third-party claimant- You have the right to choose the repair shop you trust.

You are not responsible for negotiating repair estimates with the insurance company.

Proper repairs should be based on manufacturer procedures and a complete repair plan.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your vehicle is repaired safely, correctly, and completely—not just within the limits of an initial insurance estimate. 🚗

03/22/2026

A Consumer Federation of America (CFA) report found executives of the top 10 largest insurance companies received $134 million in total compensation in 2024, while their customers faced sizable pre…

05/08/2025

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02/03/2025

It's that time of year again. Here is the new 2025 Insurance report card. See how your insurance company actually ranked.
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/
You will fill our just some basic information to receive the report card but no one will ever spam you or sell your info.

North Carolina Farm Bureau earned the highest grade from more than 1,100 automotive collision repair professionals that graded 88 U.S. auto insurance companies based on how well those companies ensure quality repairs and customer service for motorists. Alfa Mutual, Chubb and Erie Insurance rounded o...

01/22/2025

Progressive agreed to a $3.25 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that a data breach may have exposed consumer information.