Guides from the shop counter
Auto body repair guides and answers for Austin drivers
What we explain at the counter every week, written down: repair costs, your insurance rights in Texas, parts, estimates, and what to do after damage. Plain answers from a family auto body shop on North Lamar since 1980.
How Much Does ADAS Calibration Cost After a Repair?
What ADAS calibration costs after a collision, why sensors make small repairs pricier, what drives the price, and what to ask before you approve the work.
InsuranceIs It Worth Going Through Insurance for Car Repair?
When is it worth going through insurance for car repair? The cases where a claim pays off, when cash wins, and your Texas right to choose any body shop.
InsuranceShould I File an Insurance Claim for Bumper Damage?
Thinking about an insurance claim for bumper damage? See when it pays, when cash makes more sense, and why Texas law lets you pick the shop either way.
InsuranceDo I Have to Use My Insurance Company's Body Shop in Texas?
No. Texas law lets you pick your own body shop, even when your insurance company suggests one. Learn your rights, what adjusters can't say, and what to do.
InsuranceHit and Run on Your Parked Car in Austin: What to Do Next
A hit and run on your parked car in Austin? Steps for photos, witnesses and cameras, filing an APD report, what Texas law requires, and how UM coverage works.
GuidesHow Long Does a Body Shop Estimate Take? What Happens During One
At Nova, most walk-in body shop estimates for small damage take 5 to 15 minutes. See what the estimator checks, why teardown adds to it, and how to compare.
GuidesHow Long Does Collision Repair Take? A Realistic Timeline
How long does collision repair take? A stage-by-stage look at estimates, insurance approval, parts delays, body and paint, calibration and the final check.
Repair costsHow Much Does Bumper Repair Cost in Austin? What Sets the Price
What sets bumper repair cost in Austin: repair vs replace, paint blending, sensors, hidden brackets and part choice, plus how to compare quotes from two shops.
GuidesIs It Worth Fixing a Scratch or Dent on Your Car?
Is fixing a scratch or dent worth the money? Use the fingernail test, learn when rust is a risk, how damage hits resale or lease return, and when to leave it.
InsuranceIs My Car Totaled? How Total Loss Works in Texas
Worried your car is totaled in Texas? Learn how insurers weigh repair cost against actual cash value, what a salvage title means, and how to answer a low offer.
InsuranceOEM vs Aftermarket Parts in Texas: What Insurance Pays For
OEM vs aftermarket parts in Texas: what your insurer has to pay for, what like kind and quality means, and your options if you want factory parts instead.
GuidesRepair or Replace a Bumper? How a Body Shop Decides
Should you repair or replace a bumper? How a body shop weighs cracks, broken tabs, punctures, sensor mounts and hidden parts before choosing the safer fix.
InsuranceShould You File an Insurance Claim for Minor Car Damage?
Deciding whether to file a claim for minor car damage? Compare your deductible to a repair estimate, check who was at fault, and weigh the rate risk first.