What every driver should know after a minor accident.
You’re backing out of a parking space. You look both ways—traffic is clear. So you proceed. Then, crunch. That gut-wrenching sound of your fender collapsing fills your ears. You slam the brakes and realize with sinking horror: you’ve backed into one of those short cement poles right near the store entrance. The car still runs fine, and the damage doesn’t look too bad. So, like many drivers, you snap a few photos, upload them to your insurance app, and wait for the repair estimate. But you shouldn’t rely solely on your insurance app for the estimate.
You followed the protocol. You did what your insurer told you to do. But here’s the truth: while you did the right thing in documenting the incident and reporting it quickly, you may not have done everything you should have. In fact, relying solely on your phone and an insurance app could end up costing you a lot more than you think.
The Limitations of Insurance Apps
Most insurance apps limit you to submitting 8–10 photos of the damage. That might seem like enough—but it rarely is. In reality, body shop estimators typically send 30–50 detailed photos to the insurance company for a proper repair assessment. Why so many? Because trained professionals know how to look beyond the obvious. They capture angles, lighting, undercarriage damage, and potential hidden structural issues that the average person doesn’t even consider.
Hidden Damage = Hidden Costs
The biggest issue with DIY photo uploads is the risk of missing hidden damage. What looks like a minor scrape or dent may actually involve cracked supports, bent frame components, or internal damage to sensors and safety systems. If the insurance adjuster doesn’t see this, they won’t include it in the estimate. That means you won’t get paid to repair it.
Now, you might be thinking, “That’s fine—my body shop will find it later.” And usually, they will. Body shops often submit supplements (requests for additional payment) once they discover further damage during disassembly. But here’s where things can go wrong: if you’ve already accepted a cash buyout based on your original photos and decide not to repair the vehicle, you can’t go back and ask for more money later. That decision could cost you thousands.
For more on hidden damage, watch this video: Why We Disassemble Vehicles before Repairs
Delays and Devaluation
When your body shop doesn’t have an accurate estimate from the start, they can’t order the right parts. This leads to delays in getting your car fixed—and more time driving around in a damaged vehicle.
And if you decide to keep the payout and skip the repair altogether? That damaged fender might come back to haunt you. Cars with unrepaired collision damage often lose significant resale value. Worse, if the damage affects safety components like bumpers or sensors, you could be unknowingly driving a vehicle that’s unsafe for you and your passengers.
Know Your Rights—and Use Them
Many drivers don’t realize this: you have a legal right to have your vehicle inspected by a licensed damage appraiser at the auto body shop of your choice. You don’t have to go with the shop your insurer recommends. And you don’t have to rely solely on their app for damage assessment. By choosing a trusted local body shop, you’ll get a complete and accurate estimate—and peace of mind that your vehicle will be repaired the right way.
At Sharp Auto Body, our experienced estimators know exactly what to look for after an accident. We’ll perform a full inspection and provide a detailed repair estimate—even on-site, at no charge. Don’t leave money on the table or risk your safety.
For more on why you shouldn’t rely solely on your insurance app, click here: Why You Want a Full Inspection After an Accident
📞 Call us today at 847-526-1343 and get your car back to safe, road-ready condition—the right way.
