Being in a collision is stressful—but staying calm is the most important first step. Take a moment to collect yourself. Once you’ve confirmed everyone is safe, call the police and ask if it’s okay to move your vehicle. If the car isn’t drivable, call your own tow service—don’t wait for the police to dispatch one. If you let them choose, your vehicle may end up at a lot you didn’t pick, and getting it moved later is a hassle. We recommend calling Don’s 24/7 Tow Service at 419-583-9312. While waiting, take as many photos of the scene and damage as possible. These may be helpful during the claims process.

Insurance companies love the convenience of a photo estimate—but convenience for them can cost you time and proper repairs. The problem is: customers aren’t trained to photograph damage correctly, and insurance adjusters are writing estimates from a limited view. That means the estimate will likely miss internal or structural damage. In fact, we've seen delays of 3–4 weeks just trying to get the supplement approved after the shop finds the real damage. 

In the meantime, your car is sitting—and you're left waiting.

Just because the insurance company "recommends" a shop doesn’t mean it’s the best place for your repair—or that they’re even qualified. At Don’s Collision Center, we’re proud to be I-CAR Gold Class Certified, the highest standard in the industry. That means we follow strict manufacturer repair procedures—not shortcuts. We also warranty all of our work, regardless of what your insurance company says. Your safety is our first priority. And most importantly: you are legally allowed to choose where your car is repaired. No one—not even your insurance—can force you to use a particular shop.

From the moment you hand us your claim number, we handle everything else—from insurance negotiations to final detailing. You’ll never be in the dark, either. We update customers at least twice a week on where their vehicle is in the repair process. 

Got questions? We answer them. Need a rental? We help set it up. No rental coverage? We’ve got loaners.

Your vehicle’s safety systems are only as good as the repairs done after a crash. That’s why we always follow OEM repair procedures—not guesswork or insurance shortcuts. Our job is to educate adjusters on what your car actually needs to return to safe, pre-accident condition. 

When a car leaves our shop, we stand behind the repair. If it gets hit again in the same area, that repair will not fail—that’s our standard.