You Choose the Shop. We Handle the Insurance. It’s That Simple.

After a car accident, most people assume they have to go through their insurance company first and let the insurer decide where their car gets repaired. That’s not how it works, and it’s not how it has to go. In Florida, you have the legal right to choose your own auto body shop after an accident, regardless of what your insurance company tells you. You do not have to use a preferred shop on their list. You do not have to call them before coming to us. You can bring your vehicle directly to Gross & Son Paint & Body Shop, and we will handle the insurance company from there.

The repair of your vehicle is in your hands, not the insurance company’s. Our team will work directly with your insurer, negotiate on your behalf, and make sure your vehicle is repaired correctly, completely, and to the standard it deserves. We accept all major insurance companies and have decades of experience navigating the claims process so you don’t have to.

Whether you’ve been in a minor fender bender or a serious collision, here’s what every Pensacola driver needs to know before making a single phone call.

You Have the Right to Choose Your Own Body Shop

This is the single most important thing to know after an accident: in Florida, the choice of repair shop is yours and yours alone. Insurance companies may recommend or steer you toward their “preferred” or “direct repair” shops. They may tell you the process will be faster or easier if you use one of their partners. What they won’t tell you is that those preferred shops often have financial incentives to minimize repair costs for the insurer, not to advocate for the best repair outcome for you.

Under Florida Statute 626.9743, insurance companies are prohibited from requiring you to use a specific repair shop. You have the right to take your vehicle to any licensed body shop you choose, and your insurer must work with that shop. At Gross & Son, we work directly with all major insurance carriers, handle all documentation and negotiations, and make sure your vehicle receives the proper, thorough repair it deserves.

You come to us first. We’ll take care of everything else.

How the Insurance Claim Process Works at Gross & Son

Bringing your vehicle directly to Gross & Son is the simplest path to a properly repaired car and a smooth claims process. 

Here’s how it works:

• Bring your vehicle to us directly. You don’t need to wait for insurance approval or an adjuster visit before coming in. Drop your vehicle off and we’ll begin the assessment.
• We perform a thorough inspection and estimate. Our team evaluates all visible damage and provides an initial estimate. It’s important to understand that an estimate is exactly that, an initial calculation based on visible damage. The true and final cost of any repair cannot be determined until damaged components are removed and fully inspected.
• We contact your insurance company on your behalf. Once your vehicle is in our care, we handle direct communication with your insurer, submit documentation, and advocate for the complete and proper repair of your vehicle.
• Hidden damage is identified during disassembly. Once your vehicle is disassembled, our technicians frequently discover additional damage not visible during the initial inspection. We document this thoroughly and present it to your insurance company as a supplement to the original estimate. This is standard practice in collision repair and ensures no damage is left unaddressed.
• We negotiate any disputes with your insurer. If your insurance company pushes back on necessary repairs or attempts to limit the scope of work, we advocate directly with their adjusters to ensure your vehicle is repaired correctly. You should never have to fight that battle yourself.
• Your vehicle is repaired to the proper standard. We use OEM-quality parts and manufacturer-recommended repair procedures across all makes and models, including Tesla and other EV vehicles.

From the first inspection to the final delivery, Gross & Son manages the entire insurance claim process on your behalf so you can focus on getting back to your life.

What You Need to Know About Estimates

One of the most common sources of confusion after a collision is the difference between an estimate and a final repair bill. An estimate is an educated starting point based on visible damage. It is not a guaranteed price, and any shop that promises you a firm number before disassembling your vehicle is not giving you an accurate picture of what the repair will truly involve.

Under Florida Statute 559.905, you are entitled to a written estimate from any auto repair facility in Florida if your final bill will exceed $100. At Gross & Son, we provide written estimates as standard practice for every repair. And when additional damage is discovered during disassembly, we document it and present it to your insurance company before proceeding, so there are no surprises for you and no unauthorized charges.

Is Your Car Safe to Drive After an Accident?

Your insurance company may ask whether your car is drivable after an accident. This is not the same question as whether your car is safe to drive. A vehicle can start, move, and appear functional while concealing serious structural damage, compromised safety systems, or airbag deployment issues that make it genuinely dangerous to operate.

If you have any doubt about the safety of your vehicle after a collision, do not drive it. Trust your instincts, tell your insurance company the vehicle is not safe to operate, and arrange to have it towed to our facility. We offer 24/7 towing in Pensacola and can bring your vehicle to our shop safely. Your safety is more important than convenience, and no insurance company should pressure you otherwise.

Diminished Value Claims in Florida

Here is something most people don’t know: even after a perfect repair, your vehicle is worth less than it was before the accident. This is called diminished value, and in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company for the reduction in your vehicle’s market value.

Florida is one of the states where diminished value claims are recognized and compensable. According to Florida law, if another driver was at fault in your accident, their liability insurance may be required to compensate you not just for the cost of repairs, but for the documented loss in your vehicle’s resale value. This is separate from your repair bill and is money many accident victims leave on the table simply because they don’t know to ask.

At Gross & Son, we will work with you to document and maximize your diminished value claim in Florida. We provide the documentation, repair records, and supporting information needed to build the strongest possible case for your compensation. If you were involved in an accident caused by another driver, ask us about diminished value before you settle with their insurer.

The Best Warranty Comes From the Right Shop, Not the Insurance Company

Most major insurance companies offer a nationwide warranty on repairs completed at their preferred shops. What they don’t tell you is that the quality and terms of a repair warranty are only as good as the shop performing the work. A warranty from a reputable, experienced body shop like Gross & Son stands behind the actual quality of the repair, not just the paperwork.

At Gross & Son, we stand behind every repair we perform. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship, OEM-quality parts, and manufacturer-approved repair procedures means your vehicle is restored properly, and our warranty reflects that. When it comes to protecting your vehicle and your investment, the shop you choose matters far more than the insurance company’s preferred vendor list.

Insurance Companies We Work With

Gross & Son Paint & Body Shop works directly with all major insurance carriers, including State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Nationwide, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, and more. You do not need to coordinate between your insurance company and us. We handle that communication directly so you don’t have to.

Explore our full range of collision repair services to learn more about what we offer, or visit our About page to learn more about our certifications and our team. We also provide 24/7 towing if your vehicle is not drivable. Learn more about consumer rights and the auto insurance claim process from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.