Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I do if I am in an accident?: First, you should consider calling the local police department. If the vehicle needs to be towed, advise the tow company to deliver the vehicle to Laton’s Body Shop. Contact your insurance carrier to file a claim. Contact us to advise the vehicle is being towed to our facility and to give us pertinent information (name, address, telephone number, insurance company, claim number).
  • Does Laton’s Body Shop do repairs for all insurance companies?: Absolutely. As a 3rd generation shop with 40 years in business, we have dealt with nearly every insurance company in NC at some time and we do a repair for most companies every few weeks. If they cannot find us in their system, ask them to check the spelling. Most will try to spell it as “Layton” instead of “Laton”.
  • Do I need an appointment to get an estimate?: Typically, no. We should have an estimator in the shop most of the time between the hours of 8-12 and 1-5. Feel free to make an appointment as we may can get you in and out a little faster that way.
  • How long does an estimate take?: Usually between 15-30 minutes based on the amount of damage.
  • Am I required to get more than one estimate?: You are not required to obtain more than estimate.
  • Do I have to go to the repair facility that my insurance company suggests?: You are not required to go to a repair facility that your insurance company suggests. North Carolina State Law allows you to choose the repair facility you use for your auto body repair. If you feel that your insurance company is pressuring you to use a collision center that they suggest, please contact us and we will assist you with this issue.
  • What if the insurance estimate that is written is lower than my shops estimate?: Many insurance estimates are written based off of photos so this is very common. It is simply not the same as looking at the vehicle. We will review the insurance company’s estimate. In many instances, additional damage may not be determined until the vehicle is disassembled. We will disassemble the vehicle, re-write the estimate and submit the supplement to the insurance company for approval.
  • Will I have to pay additional costs if I use Laton’s Body Shop instead of the shop that the insurance company suggests? The insurance company’s goal is to finalize the claim as soon as possible and at a minimum cost. We will carefully assess the damage to your vehicle, and if additional damage is discovered, we will contact the insurance company to review the modifications with them, and bill them directly for the supplement. This excludes any deductible or depreciation that the insurance company may charge you.
  • Who pays for the tow bill?: Laton’s Body Shop will pay the tow bill. The tow bill will be added to the final estimate and submitted to the insurance company for payment.
  • When do I pay my deductible if applicable?: If you are required to pay a deductible, it is to be paid after the repair is completed and when you pick up your vehicle.
  • What are OEM parts?: OEM parts are “Original Equipment Manufacture” parts which means they come from the vehicle’s manufacturer.
  • What are Aftermarket parts?: Aftermarket parts are parts made by a manufacturer other than the original manufacturer.
  • What are LKQ parts?: LKQ (like, kind, quality) are used parts similar to those that were originally on your vehicle.
  • can Laton’s Body Shop save you on your deductible?: It is totally unethical to modify an estimate to save the deductible. A reputable collision center would not suggest that they can save your deductible.
  • Who is responsible for warranty of repairs?: The collision center will warrant the repairs performed on your vehicle. If the insurance company requires an “Aftermarket” or “LKQ” part for your vehicle, the insurance company typically warranties these parts for as long as you own your vehicle. The collision center is responsible for the warranty of the repair work itself. For this reason, it is imperative that you select a highly respected collision center in Albemarle, Porter, Millingport, or Badin, NC. Any honest, quality repair facility will warrant their repairs.