These are the questions we hear at the counter, on the phone and from the adjusters, answered the way Lorri would answer them in person. Have one we missed? Ask us and it may end up here.
No. Washington gives you the right to choose your repair shop. The insurer may recommend network shops, but the decision is yours and they still pay for a proper repair at the shop you pick.
All of them. State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, Safeco, USAA, PEMCO, Travelers, Nationwide, American Family and more. We are also a Direct Repair shop for The Hartford.
No. You pay your deductible when you pick the car up, and the insurer pays us the balance directly.
Additional damage found after the first estimate, usually once the car is taken apart. It is documented with photos and sent to the adjuster for approval. It is a normal part of almost every claim.
If the repair is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket may be the better choice. We give you the real number first so you can decide.
13209 NE 126th Pl, Suite A140, in Totem Lake, just off I-405 at the NE 124th Street exit and behind the Totem Lake dealership row. Open Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm.
No. Walk in during business hours and we will look at the car while you wait, or send photos through the online estimate form first.
Yes, with every major insurer. We are also a Direct Repair shop for The Hartford. And remember that in Washington you choose the shop, not the insurance company.
We tear down the damaged area, document any hidden damage for the adjuster, order parts, repair and refinish, verify safety systems and return the car washed. You get a target date up front and updates as the job moves.
All of them: Totem Lake, Juanita, Finn Hill, Kingsgate, Houghton, Rose Hill, Bridle Trails, Norkirk, Market and downtown Kirkland, plus Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, Redmond and Bellevue next door.
No. Stop by Monday through Friday between 7:30 am and 5 pm and we will look at the car while you wait. You can also send photos through our online estimate form and we will reply with a preliminary number.
No. In Washington the choice of repair shop is yours. An insurer can suggest a shop from its network, but it cannot require you to use it, and it still has to pay for a proper repair at the shop you choose. L-M Body Shop works with every major insurer and is a Direct Repair shop for The Hartford.
It depends on your policy, the age of the vehicle and what is safe. We explain the difference between OEM, aftermarket and recycled parts on your estimate, and we will never install a part we would not put on our own car.
Minor repairs take a few days. Larger repairs depend on structural work and parts availability. You get a target date once the car is torn down, and we keep you posted along the way.
Yes. We coordinate with Enterprise so a rental can be ready when you drop off, and we handle the paperwork with your insurer if your policy includes rental coverage.
A single panel repair and refinish is a different job from a full repaint, so the honest answer is to bring the car in for a free written estimate. We explain where the money goes: prep, materials, booth time and labor.
Yes. We mix to the factory code, test spray, compare under daylight-balanced light and blend the color into the surrounding panels so there is no visible transition.
A spot repair or single panel usually takes two to four days including cure time. Multi-panel and full repaints take longer, and we give you the schedule up front.
We stand behind our refinish work, and we touch up small future scratches at no additional cost to you. Ask us about the details when you pick up your estimate.
Paintless repairs on small dings are the least expensive body work there is. Dents that need refinishing cost more because of prep and paint. Stop by for a free written estimate and we will show you both numbers if both options apply.
Yes. Hail is one of the best cases for paintless dent repair because the dents are shallow and the paint is usually intact. We can also work with your comprehensive insurance claim.
Paintless repairs are often done the same day or next day. Repairs that need paint take two to four days including cure time.
Small cracks and scuffs in a plastic bumper cover can be plastic-welded, reinforced from behind and refinished. Long cracks, torn mounting tabs or damage near sensors usually mean replacement. We show you both numbers.
If the repair cost is close to your deductible it may make sense to pay out of pocket, and we will tell you that honestly. If there is hidden damage behind the cover, a claim is usually the right call.
A scuff repair is usually one to three days. A replacement with paint and sensor checks is typically three to five days depending on parts availability.
Not until it is measured. A bent structure can affect steering, tire wear and how the car protects you in another crash. If your car was hit hard, have it checked even if it looks fine.
Yes, structural repair is part of a normal collision claim. We document the measurements and the repair plan for the adjuster and handle the supplement if hidden damage is found.
When the structure is returned to factory specification using the manufacturer's procedures, yes. That is the standard we repair to, and we will tell you if a vehicle cannot meet it.
Stop by L-M Body Shop at 13209 NE 126th Pl in Totem Lake, Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm, no appointment needed. Or send photos through our online estimate form and we will reply with a preliminary number.
Bumper scuffs and small dents are often two to four days. Repairs that need structural work or several panels can take two weeks or more depending on parts. You get a target date once the car is torn down and we keep you posted.
Yes. We coordinate with Enterprise so a rental is ready when you drop off, and we handle the rental paperwork with your insurer if your policy includes it.
We are in Totem Lake, Kirkland and serve Juanita, Finn Hill, Kingsgate, Houghton, Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, Redmond, Bellevue, Sammamish, Lake Forest Park, Mill Creek, Duvall and Carnation. We are a few minutes off I-405 at the NE 124th Street exit.
Yes. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Jeep, Tesla and more. Our technicians have been with the shop for 10 to 30+ years.
It is a preliminary number based on your photos. Hidden damage behind a bumper or fender cannot be seen in a picture, so the final written estimate is done in person after we look at the car.
One of the whole side of the car that is damaged, one closer shot of the damage, and one of your VIN plate or registration if you have it handy. Good daylight helps.
Usually the same business day. We reply by whichever method you choose on the form.
L-M Body Shop is family owned and women led. Lorri and Karl run the shop at 13209 NE 126th Pl in Totem Lake, Kirkland, where it has been since 1987.
Since 1987. The shop has served the Eastside from the same Totem Lake location for decades, and several of our technicians have been with us for 10 to 30+ years.
An A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, the Best of Kirkland Business Hall of Fame for five consecutive years, and a 5-Star EnviroStars certification, which we were one of the first collision shops in Washington to earn.
Yes. We work with state and local agencies to keep our shop one of the cleanest in the industry, we are a Green Works member and a King County business for clean water, and we hold a 5-Star EnviroStars rating.
Great service and great people. I had passenger side door's panel came off due to a little accident. I reached out to multiple body shop but LM body shop struck great impression in my mind. In the first interaction I knew that they're genuine and not trying to scam you. One of the part from the panel seems to be reusable and advised me to buy part by myself, so I can return if they don't ended up using it while repairing. And they didn't use it and saved me $500. Other bodyshops that I went, they never offered me this option and asked me to replace good part as well. In addition to that I didn't have to take the appointments for the quote, like I had to for the other places. They gave me quote promptly and squeezed the repair in their schedule as soon as the part arrived. I would definitely recommend this body shop to my friends and family.
Lorri and her team were amazing. This was my first time dealing with collision repairs and an insurance claim after someone damaged my rear bumper, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. They took the time to answer my questions, explain the process, and made everything feel much less stressful. Lorri was calm, kind, and incredibly easy to communicate with from start to finish. Her customer service really stood out and made a difficult situation so much easier to navigate. Highly recommend for quality repairs and excellent customer service.
I can't say enough good things about L-M Body Shop. I brought my brand-new Lexus in for a scratch, and Lorri took the time to try the least invasive solution before recommending a repair. The result exceeded my expectations, and I truly appreciated the honesty and care. It's refreshing to find a shop that genuinely looks out for its customers. Thank you again, Lorri!
