Totem Lake, Kirkland · Since 1987
No. This is the most important thing to know after an accident. In Washington, you have the right to have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice. Your insurance company can suggest shops from its "preferred" or "direct repair" network, but it cannot require you to use one, and it cannot refuse to pay for a proper repair because you chose a shop outside its list.
Preferred-network shops have business agreements with the insurer. Some are excellent. But the agreement is between the shop and the insurer, not you. L-M Body Shop works for the person who owns the car. We work with every major insurer, we are a Direct Repair shop for The Hartford, and we have handled thousands of claims from this same building since 1987.
Get a Free Estimate
Call us first, or bring the car in. We write the estimate, open or update the claim with your insurer, and send our estimate and photos to the adjuster. Once the car is torn down, any hidden damage goes to the insurer as a supplement, which is normal and expected. You pay your deductible to us at pickup, the insurer pays the rest directly, and we coordinate the rental through Enterprise if your policy covers it.
Free Estimate
It usually is at first, because the insurer's estimate is often written from photos before anyone has taken a bumper off. That gap is closed with a supplement after teardown. We document the additional damage with photos and manufacturer procedures, and the adjuster approves the additional repair. You do not negotiate with the insurance company. We do.
Free Estimate
If the other driver was at fault, you can file with their insurer instead of yours and avoid paying a deductible. The process is the same from our side: we estimate, document and communicate with the adjuster. If their company is slow to respond, filing with your own insurer and letting them recover the cost is sometimes faster, and we will help you think through that.
Free Estimate
Toyota Corolla: insurance-paid front end repair
Toyota Tundra: fender and front end claim repair
Fender benders to major accidents, repaired to pre-accident condition with a written estimate up front and your insurance claim handled for you.
Learn moreThe most common repair we do. Scuffs and cracks repaired, crushed bumpers replaced, sensors and brackets checked, refinished to match.
Learn moreWhen the hit went deeper than the sheet metal. Structural damage measured, pulled and welded to factory specification.
Learn moreLocal details for insurance claim repairs in the cities and neighborhoods around our Totem Lake shop.
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!
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.
More answers on the Collision Repair Q&A page, or call (425) 821-8074.
