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What Is a Body Shop? A Quick & Simple Guide to Auto Repairs

Home > What Is a Body Shop? A Quick & Simple Guide to Auto Repairs

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When something goes wrong with your vehicle, where should you go? Is there a difference between an auto repair shop and a body shop? Once you know what a body shop is, not only will you know the answers, but you’ll also be able to tell the difference between a good one and a bad one. Road safety starts with taking proper care of your vehicle, no matter how big or small, so this might be the most important thing you learn today.

What Do Auto Body Shops Do?

The big difference between “repair” and “body” shops is in the name – while auto repair shops can help you with what’s happening under the hood, they don’t deal with the vehicle’s bodywork. The simple meaning of a body shop is a garage where the outer panels of your car are repaired or upgraded. Some, like Coastal, extend their services to engine mechanics and other technical vehicle repairs, but it’s always important to confirm that this is the case – never assume.

If you had to describe what a body shop is for cars – think about it like a full-service salon. Any shop worth its salt offers some combination of the following services:

  • Collision Repair: Fixing dents, scratches, and structural damage.
  • Bumper & Panel Replacement – Repairing or replacing damaged exterior parts.
  • Painting & Refinishing – Matching and restoring a vehicle’s original paint job.
  • Frame Straightening – Ensuring a vehicle’s frame is properly aligned after an accident.
  • Glass & Windshield Repairs – Replacing or fixing cracked windshields and windows. 

How to Know Where to Go

In New York state, you have the right to choose your auto body shop – your insurance can make suggestions, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you. That’s why it’s so important to know what to look for so you can make the right choice for your vehicle. Since you’ll still need to choose a shop that works with your insurance, we make a point of accepting all major providers.

The first metric should always be word of mouth. Anyone can say good things about their own business, but hearing a good experience from someone you actually know is much more valuable. Ask the advice of your community and read the Google reviews to get a sense of whether an auto shop delivers on its promises. 

Reputation isn’t everything, of course. We back it up with over twenty years of experience and a quality-certified team. We protect your vehicle by working with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and procedures only to ensure a perfect fit and a seamless finish. We take pride in the quality of our work – from the smallest paint touchup to the headlight-to-exhaust luxury customization.

Got Car Trouble? Let’s See What Service You Need!
What’s wrong with your car?
  • A) The frame feels off, and it’s not driving straight.
  • B) I’ve got some small dents, but the paint looks fine.
  • C) My wheels look scuffed or bent.
  • D) My car’s safety features (like lane assist or adaptive cruise control) aren’t working properly.
How did the damage happen?
  • A) I was in an accident, and now my car feels misaligned.
  • B) Someone dinged my car in a parking lot or on the road.
  • C) I hit a curb, and now my rims look wrecked.
  • D) I recently had windshield work done or a fender bender, and now my sensors seem off.
What does the damage look like?
  • A) The frame looks bent, and my doors might not close properly.
  • B) There are small dents, but the paint isn’t chipped.
  • C) My rims are scratched, bent, or cracked.
  • D) My car’s cameras or sensors aren’t detecting objects correctly.
What’s your biggest concern?
  • A) My car doesn’t drive the same, and I’m worried about safety.
  • B) I want to fix these dents without ruining the paintwork.
  • C) My wheels look bad, and I don’t want it to affect my driving.
  • D) My driver-assist features aren’t working properly, and I want to ensure my car is safe.

Results:
Mostly A’s: Frame Repair
Your car’s structure could be compromised. A frame repair will help straighten things out so your vehicle can drive safely again.

Mostly B’s: Paintless Dent Repair
Good news – your dents can likely be fixed without risking a bad paint match! Paintless dent repair removes minor dents quickly and affordably.

Mostly C’s: Wheel/Rim Repair
Curb rash? Bent rims? Our wheel and rim repair service will have your car looking (and driving) smoothly again in no time.

Mostly D’s: ADAS Calibration
Your car’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) need recalibration! Whether it’s lane assist, adaptive cruise control, or parking sensors, proper calibration ensures your safety features work as intended.

closeup car in repair station and body shop with soft-focus and over light in the background

Quality Meets Craftsmanship at Coastal Collision & Towing

No one ever expects to damage their vehicle, but it’s good to have the experts on your side when the worst happens. From fender benders to hailstorms, we’ll return your vehicle to its showroom glory, ensuring it’s 100% roadworthy and safe to drive. Big or small, visible or invisible, our auto body shop solutions have you covered. But our commitment to exceptional service is what makes us the body shop that goes above and beyond.

Call us for a free, obligation-free estimate, or schedule your service with our capable technicians.

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Put your vehicle in the best hands. Wherever life finds you in New York, call on Coastal.

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    • ADAS Calibrations
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    • Dent Removal
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    • Electric-Vehicle Specific Repairs
    • Fender Repair
    • Frame Repair
    • Glass Repair/Replacement
    • Hail Damage Repair
    • Paintless Dent Repair
    • Scratch and Scuff Repair
    • Wheel/Rim Repair
  • Contact Us
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  • About Us
  • 24hr Towing
  • Collision Service
  • Roadside Assistance
  • Automotive Repair
    • ADAS Calibrations
    • Bumper Repair
    • Customization/Vehicle Upgrades
    • Dent Removal
    • Diagnostics Testing
    • Electric-Vehicle Specific Repairs
    • Fender Repair
    • Frame Repair
    • Glass Repair/Replacement
    • Hail Damage Repair
    • Paintless Dent Repair
    • Scratch and Scuff Repair
    • Wheel/Rim Repair
  • Contact Us
  • CALL US