Where can I get collision and body repair in New York City?
A1 Collision NY & Auto Care is an auto body shop at 4525 36 Street, Long Island City 11101, serving Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn since 1991. Most people who call us have just had an accident, so that is where this page starts. Further down we cover the cosmetic side: body kits, spoilers, and finishes.
Open Monday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Call (212) 564-7100.
Can collision damage be hidden after an accident?
Accident damage is rarely only what you can see. A bumper takes an impact and the mounting points, the crash bars, and sometimes the frame behind them move with it. We assess the structure as well as the panels, because a car that looks straight but is not aligned underneath will wear tires unevenly and will not sit right on the road.
Typical collision work here includes:
- Bumper, fender, door, and quarter panel replacement
- Dent removal, from door dings to larger panel damage
- Frame and structural straightening
- Headlight, tail light, and mirror replacement
- Color-matched car painting so replaced panels match the rest of the car
- Post-repair inspection with the customer before the keys go back
If the car is not drivable, we can arrange towing. Call before you have it moved anywhere, because where a car is towed to often decides where it gets repaired.
Can my insurance company choose where my car is repaired?
You choose the repair shop, not your insurer. An insurance company can recommend a shop, and often will, but in New York the decision is yours.
We provide a written estimate you can submit with a claim, and we deal with adjusters directly during the repair. If more damage is found once panels come off, which is common, that gets documented and raised with the insurer rather than absorbed quietly or sprung on you at the end. You get a final invoice alongside the post-repair inspection.
Bring your claim number and the adjuster’s contact details if you already have them. If you have not filed yet, we can give you the estimate first.
COSMETIC AND CUSTOM AUTO BODY WORK
what is An auto body SHOP?
Auto body work deals with the outside of your vehicle. It can be either necessary such as a tire replacement or repairing parts after an accident, or cosmetic such as getting new body kits or spoilers to enhance the look of your vehicle.
AUTO BODY REPAIR IN NYC
Typically auto body work is needed after an accident to replace a door, a front or back bumper, tail lights, mirrors, and much more. Once the new part has replaced the damaged part, it is typically a good idea to opt for car painting as well so that the new parts blend with the overall look of your vehicle. Ever wondered why you would see a white car with a red door? Changes are, the owner of the vehicle did not go to a collision repair shop that offered both auto body work and car painting services.
WHAT ARE Body Kits?
A Body Kit is an auto body enhancement that replaces the manufacturer auto body of a vehicle for a more customized look. They can be made from fiberglass, urethane, ABS plastic, carbon fiber, or composite materials which vary depending on budget, manufacturer, desired look, and desired speed.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BODY KITS?
Fiberglass Body Kits
Fiberglass Body Kits are the least expensive kits available if you are looking for an auto body upgrade. They are lightweight, resistant to warping due to temperature shifts, and can be painted any color easily. However, these kits tend to break down the fastest and tend to get chips in them more easily than the other options.
Urethane Body Kits
Urethane kits are a much more custom fit for your vehicle since they are made from a denser material when compared to fiberglass. They are more expensive and susceptible to warping when exposed to extreme heat. When it comes to selecting a Urethan Body Kit, A 1 Collision would recommend Street Scene Body Kit, 3D Carbon Body Kit, Extreme Dimensions Body Kit, or a Couture Body Kit.
ABS Plastic Body Kits
ABS Plastic is used widely by car manufactures because of its chemical- and heat-resistant nature. ABS plastic is more expensive and heavier than fiberglass, however, it offers superior fit and finish, and is resistant to dents.
Carbon Fiber Body Kits
Carbon fiber body kits are strong, durable, and lightweight. They are ideal for any car enthusiast that is looking for a kit that needs a strong kit without the weight penalty of metal. These kits are usually valued for their high-performance reputation.
Composite Body Kits
These body kits are made with a combination of chemicals and materials of the kits listed above. They are typically not commonly requested to A 1 Collision, however A1 Collision NY & Auto Care is skilled and experienced in installing these types of body kits when performing auto body work.
WHAT IS A SPOILER?
Spoilers were invented to control the flow of air in order to increase your car’s grip on the road and handling.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPOILERS?
Pedestal Spoiler
A pedestal spoiler is bolted to the trunk of the vehicle which creates a drag in order to reduce the vehicle’s speed.
Rear Lip Spoiler
A rear lip spoiler typically serve no specific purpose in increasing the handling and grip of your vehicle, they are purely for aesthetic.
Lighted Spoiler
Lighted spoilers give the functionality of a regular spoiler (in being that they increase the grip and handling of the vehicle) but they have a brake light, which increases the visibility of your vehicle.
Whale Tail Spoiler
A Whale Tail Spoiler is typically found on high-end sport cars because they reduce the lift on the rear end of the vehicle, and keep you from oversteering.
All of A1 Collision NY’s auto body work services come with a one year manufacturer’s warranty, with the ability to purchase a two year extended warranty from the A 1 Collision shop. Meaning, if your auto body work experiences any dents, scratches, or dings, A 1 Collision will fix it without any additional cost to you as long as the damages are covered under the warranty. Our goal is to provide full service for all of our auto repair shop.
RELATED SERVICES
Body work is often only part of what a car needs after an accident:
- Collision and auto repair shop for mechanical work
- Car painting and color matching
- Tires, including impact damage and alignment-related wear
- New York State inspection
- General repair services
OEM or aftermarket parts: what is the difference?
OEM parts come from the vehicle maker. Aftermarket parts are made by other companies to fit the same car, and recycled parts come off another vehicle of the same model.
| Question | OEM | Aftermarket | Recycled (used) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who makes it | The vehicle maker or its supplier | A third party manufacturer | The vehicle maker, taken from another car |
| Fit and finish | Matches the original | Varies by brand and part | Original fit, condition varies |
| Relative cost | Usually highest | Usually lower | Usually lowest |
| Good to ask | Is it new or reconditioned? | Is the part certified? | What is the mileage and condition? |
Your estimate should list which type is used for each part. Ask before work starts if you want OEM.
Insurer's network shop or a shop you choose?
In New York you choose where your car is repaired. An insurer can recommend a shop in its network, but it cannot require you to use one.
| Question | Insurer's network shop | A shop you choose |
|---|---|---|
| Who picks it | Recommended by the insurer | You do |
| Who the shop has an agreement with | The insurer | You, the customer |
| Estimate | Often written under the insurer's program rules | Written by the shop and reviewed by the adjuster |
| Hidden damage found later | Handled within the program | Documented and sent to the adjuster as a supplement |
Source: the New York State Department of Financial Services confirms you keep the right, under the Insurance Law, to choose which shop repairs your car.
COME IN OR CALL
A1 Collision NY & Auto Care, 4525 36 Street, Long Island City 11101. Open seven days a week, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Call (212) 564-7100 or get in touch.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
- The collision repair process, step by step, so you know what to expect
- Auto body shop Long Island City, where we are
- Auto body shop Manhattan, for drivers crossing from the island
Local to us? See collision repair in Long Island City, or insurance collision repair in Queens if a claim is involved.