Questions
answered
Straight answers to what Atlanta drivers ask us after a collision — your right to choose a shop · what an estimate costs · how long the work takes · what we can do that most shops cannot. Still not sure about something? Call and ask for a person.
01 What should I do right after an accident?
Get somewhere safe and call the police so there is a report. Photograph the damage, the other vehicle, and the scene. Exchange insurance information.
Then get the car to us, and do not let it go to a police impound lot if you can avoid it. Impound storage fees add up every day the car sits there, and getting it released takes time. When the tow truck arrives, tell the driver or the officer you want the vehicle taken to Kong's Body Shop, 2212 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, (404) 633-4266. There is a dropbox at the shop for your key, so it does not matter what time you get here.
Call us before you commit to anything and we will walk you through what happens next.
02 Do I have to use the shop my insurance company recommends, and will they still cover the repair if I do not?
No, and yes. Georgia law protects your right to choose (O.C.G.A. § 33-34-6).
An insurer cannot tell you that using or not using a particular shop may result in your claim not being paid, and cannot require you to use a particular shop to settle your claim as long as the work can be done at the same cost elsewhere.
Your coverage does not change based on where you take the car. Your insurer can suggest shops from their network, but the decision is yours. We work with every carrier and deal with the adjuster and the paperwork directly.
03 How much will the estimate cost?
Nothing. Estimates are free and written, with no appointment needed. Bring the car by or send photos of the damage. If the repair is an insurance claim, in most cases you pay only your deductible.
04 How long will the repair take?
It depends on the damage and on parts availability. A bumper repair may take a few days; structural work takes longer. We give you a timeline with your estimate and tell you if anything changes.
PRE-PAY OPTION
If you want the car back faster, we can shorten the repair time. Leave a deposit at the estimate and we will order and receive the parts before you drop the vehicle off, so the work starts the day it arrives instead of waiting on parts. With the parts already here, most bumper replacements can be done within hours.
05 Do you offer a warranty?
We warranty our workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle. Parts carry their own manufacturer warranty.
06 Will the paint match my car?
Yes. We use computerized color matching to your vehicle's factory paint code, refinish in a controlled booth, and blend into the surrounding panels so there is no visible line.
We spray Axalta and Cromax. Axalta is one of the largest coatings manufacturers in the world and supplies factory paint to major automakers — Cromax is their professional refinish line. The same company that coats cars on the assembly line makes the system we put on yours.
07 Do you only do body work, or can you handle mechanical repairs too?
We handle everything related to the accident, body or mechanical. Engine and cooling system work, radiators, suspension and steering, alignment, air conditioning, exhaust, electrical — if the collision caused it, we repair it here.
You do not need to take the car somewhere else to finish the job, and you do not need to manage two shops and two sets of paperwork. One shop, one estimate, one point of contact.
08 Do you use original manufacturer parts, aftermarket, or used?
Your insurance policy sets guidelines on what grade of parts it will pay for — usually OEM, aftermarket, or used, depending on the age of the vehicle. Those are the insurer's guidelines, not a rule you have to follow. It is your car, and at your request we will use whatever you want: OEM, aftermarket, or used.
We tell you exactly what is going on the vehicle before we order anything. If you choose parts above what your policy covers, you pay the difference and we show you what that is up front.
09 Can you help me get a rental car?
Yes. We work with Enterprise on Cheshire Bridge Road, right by the shop. Once your insurance company gives you a rental reservation number, just come to us with the vehicle — Enterprise picks you up here and drops you back here when the repair is done. You never have to make a second trip.
ENTERPRISE CHESHIRE BRIDGE (404) 634-3433
10 Do you handle towing?
Yes. If you need your vehicle towed, call us at (404) 633-4266 and we will arrange it. We work with a number of local towing companies and will get one out to you.
AFTER HOURS AND WEEKENDS (404) 944-0413
11 What is diminished value, and can I claim it?
Even after a flawless repair, your vehicle is worth less because the accident is now on its record. In Georgia you may be able to recover that loss from the at-fault driver's insurer. We have handled these claims for decades and can tell you whether yours is worth pursuing.
We also work with several companies that specialize in diminished value appraisals and claims. If your case is worth pursuing, we will put you in touch with them so you recover as much as you are entitled to.
12 Do you work on Teslas and electric vehicles?
Yes. EVs require aluminum and bonded panel repair, safe high-voltage handling, and camera and radar recalibration after collision work. We are equipped for all of it.
Parts are where most shops get stuck on a Tesla. We are one of the few shops that can buy Tesla parts directly from Tesla — other body shops buy Tesla parts from us because they cannot get them on their own. That means your car is not sitting in a stall for weeks while someone tries to find a quarter panel.
13 Do you repair older or classic cars?
We handle collision and panel repair on older vehicles the same as any other car. We do not take on complete restorations — if you need a frame-off or full rebuild, that is a different kind of shop. For accident damage, panel work, and refinishing, bring it in.
14 Where are you and what are your hours?
2212 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324. Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Still have a question
Call and ask for a person. No phone tree and no call center — you get the shop.