Connecticut law requires us to get your written authorization before starting any repairs on your vehicle. This contract covers the scope of repairs, authorizes our technicians to operate your vehicle for testing, and protects both you and Towne Body Shop throughout the repair process.
Completing it online before your drop-off appointment helps prevent delays — your vehicle can go straight into the repair queue on arrival.
A Direction to Pay is a signed authorization instructing your insurance company to send the claim payment directly to Towne Body Shop instead of to you.
This keeps things simple — you don't have to worry about receiving a check and getting it to us. If a payment does come to you, you're required to forward it to us promptly.
If you have already received a payment from your insurance company, please contact our office to discuss your payment options — we're happy to help you navigate next steps.
Our posted labor rate is $90.00 per hour. This is our standard and reasonable charge for repair services.
DRP Status: Towne Body Shop is a certified Direct Repair Program (DRP) facility for USAA, Hanover Insurance, and Amica Mutual Insurance. As a DRP partner with these carriers, we have streamlined the claims process and work directly with their adjusters to expedite your repair.
For other insurance carriers, we work with you and your insurer to manage the repair process. You accept financial responsibility for all charges — including any difference between what your insurance pays and our posted rate — when you authorize repairs.
You have the right to communicate directly with your insurance carrier about payment decisions and repair approval timelines. We're here to help answer questions about your coverage and work collaboratively with your insurer to get your vehicle repaired efficiently.
Our pre-storage policy encourages timely insurance inspections so we can start repairs quickly. Insurance companies sometimes advise customers that pre-storage charges are their responsibility — we want you to be aware of this up front so there are no surprises.
Our goal is to repair your vehicle efficiently — not to collect storage fees. When needed, your cooperation in getting your insurance adjuster involved promptly (including in-person inspections) helps us avoid delays for everyone.
Storage fees generally begin accruing on the 3rd day after we receive your vehicle and 48 hours after we notify you that repairs are complete. If you have special circumstances or need to schedule a specific pickup time, please contact our office — we are happy to work with you and accommodate reasonable arrangements wherever possible.
Damage is often discovered after parts are removed. If this happens, we will prepare a supplemental estimate and submit it to your insurance carrier for review. We will always notify you of any repairs not approved by insurance before proceeding.
Hidden damage is typically non-safety-related — things like bent brackets, corroded clips, or worn components uncovered during disassembly. While these items need to be addressed to complete a proper repair, they do not generally pose an immediate safety risk.
If any portion of the supplemental repair would not be covered by insurance and would be out-of-pocket, we will provide you with a written estimate for those items upon request so you can make an informed decision before we proceed.
We are authorized to proceed with repairs up to $25,000 — this amount will never be exceeded without prior insurance approval and your written or verbal authorization.
Repairs will not be completed on the same day you drop off your vehicle. The contract acknowledges this and consents to a later completion date. Completion time depends on parts availability, insurance approval timelines, and the scope of repairs needed — when you sign in, please let us know about any repairs you are aware of so we can plan accordingly.
Core charges: Certain parts (like alternators, brake calipers, and steering components) carry a "core charge" — a refundable deposit the supplier collects until the old part is returned. By signing this contract, you authorize us to manage core returns on your behalf. If a core charge applies to your vehicle, we will discuss it with you.
If you wish to keep any replaced parts or components, please indicate this in the form and specify which parts you'd like to keep — we're happy to set them aside for you.
Although we secure all of our cars every night, we clean every vehicle after a repair. During that process vacuums are used and items may have to be moved.
While we do our very best to never misplace an item, we strongly recommend that you remove any sentimental or valuable belongings from your vehicle before drop-off.
If your insurance company sends a payment check directly to you, you are required to promptly deliver it to Towne Body Shop. Electronic payments (EFT) should be redirected to us, or replaced with a certified check payable to Towne Body Shop.
Delays in payment may result in delays in releasing your vehicle or additional charges as permitted by law. Please contact us before taking any action if you have questions — we're here to help.
Please don't hesitate to reach out — we're happy to explain anything before you sign.
- 📞 Phone: (203) 375-5288
- 📍 Address: 1298 Stratford Ave, Stratford, CT 06615
