Collision & Body Repairin Portsmouth, Virginia
Bring the wreck to the family shop on Portsmouth Blvd. We’ll tell you what it needs, settle it with your insurance company, and put it back the way it was.
Call (757) 393-4021
What we repair
Cars, trucks, vans and SUVs of every make, from fender-benders to frame damage.
Dents, dings & creases
Door dings, hail, shopping-cart hits and the parking-lot mystery dent.
Bumpers & trim
Cracked, torn or pushed-in bumper covers, grilles and plastic trim, repaired or replaced.
Doors, fenders & quarter panels
Straightened when they can be, replaced when they can’t, and blended into the panels beside them.
Frame & unibody
Measured and pulled back into place on the frame rack when a hit goes deeper than the skin.
Paint matching
Spot repairs, single panels and complete repaints, matched to the color already on the car.
Rust repair
Rotted metal cut out and replaced with new steel, not covered over with filler.
Trucks, vans & SUVs
Pickups, work vans and bigger rigs get the same work as the family sedan.
Classics
Older cars need people who know older cars. See the restorations.
How a repair goes
One shop and the same people from the estimate to the final check.
Estimate at the shop.
Bring the car in during shop hours. We look it over in person and write up what it needs.
Insurance and approval.
We settle the estimate with your adjuster, or with you if you’re paying yourself. Work starts when you say go.
Parts ordered.
We order what the repair calls for and tell you if a part is going to hold up the job.
Body, frame and paint.
Straightening, metal work, primer, paint and clear, all done in our own bays.
Final check and pickup.
We go over the car before you do, then call you to come get it.
You choose the shop
“Although many companies will suggest body shops or repair facilities, the final decision is yours.”
Tell your adjuster the car is at GAC Automotive Center. We work with every insurer and settle the estimate with them directly. Questions about parts, rentals and total losses are answered below.
Read the insurance questionsBefore and after
Common questions
What people ask most at the counter. Don’t see yours? Call the shop.
Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?
No. Insurance companies can suggest shops, but in Virginia the choice is yours. The State Corporation Commission puts it plainly: “Although many companies will suggest body shops or repair facilities, the final decision is yours.” (Virginia Auto Insurance Guide)
Do you work with my insurance company?
Yes. We work with all insurance companies, whether the claim is on your policy or the other driver’s.
How long will my repair take?
It depends on the damage and how fast parts arrive. Small repairs can take a few days; big ones can take a few weeks. Once we’ve seen the car and ordered parts we’ll give you a realistic timeline, and we’ll call if it changes.
How much will it cost?
We can’t price a repair honestly without seeing it, so we don’t quote from photos. Bring the car by during shop hours for an estimate.
Do I need an appointment for an estimate?
You can stop by Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM. Calling ahead at (757) 393-4021 makes sure someone is free to look at it when you arrive.
What should I bring?
Your driver’s license, your insurance information and claim number if you’ve filed one, the other driver’s information if someone else was involved, and any photos you took at the scene.
Will my car be repaired with new parts?
It depends on your policy and the estimate. Virginia requires an insurer to say on the estimate when it’s based on aftermarket parts, and those parts must be at least equal to the originals in fit, quality and performance (SCC). We’ll show you what’s going on the car and why.
Can I get a rental car while mine is in the shop?
If the other driver’s insurance accepts responsibility, Virginia generally lets you recover reasonable costs for a comparable rental while your car is being fixed (SCC). On your own policy, it depends on whether you carry rental coverage, so check with your insurer.
What if the insurance company says my car is totaled?
You can usually keep the car, but the settlement is reduced by its salvage value. Before you decide, bring it by and we’ll tell you whether it’s worth fixing.
Do you fix frame damage?
Yes. Frame and unibody damage is measured and straightened on the frame rack as part of the collision repair.
Do you work on trucks, vans and bigger vehicles?
Yes. Pickups, work vans, trailers and heavy equipment all come through the shop, including a Navy water tanker and an airport crash truck.
Bring it in for an estimate
You’ll talk to the people who do the work. Bring the car to 2100 Portsmouth Blvd during shop hours and we’ll look it over.
Mon–Fri 7 AM – 4 PM