Do I have to use the body shop my insurance recommends?

No. Maryland law gives you the legal right to choose your own collision repair shop. Your insurance company cannot require you to use one of their 'preferred' or 'direct repair' shops. Airpark Auto Collision works with every major insurance carrier — GEICO, State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Progressive, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, and more — and we handle all the paperwork on your behalf.

Is collision repair at Airpark Auto Collision covered by a warranty?

Yes. Every collision repair at Airpark Auto Collision comes with a written lifetime warranty on our workmanship — for as long as you own the vehicle. Paint, body, and refinish work are all covered.

How long will my collision repair take?

Timelines depend on the severity of the damage and parts availability. Minor dent and bumper repairs are typically completed in 2–4 days, mid-level collision repairs in 1–2 weeks, and major structural or frame repairs may take 2–4 weeks. We provide a written timeline with your estimate and keep you updated throughout the repair.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes. Free written collision estimates are available any time during business hours — walk in, schedule online, or send photos for a quick remote estimate. There's never an obligation to book.

Do you use OEM parts or aftermarket parts?

We use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts whenever your insurance policy allows. If your policy specifies aftermarket or recycled parts, we'll tell you upfront and use only certified-quality parts that meet manufacturer specifications. You always have the option to upgrade to OEM at your own expense.

Will the repaired paint match my car's original color?

Yes. Our paint mixing system uses computerized color-matching to your vehicle's exact factory paint code, and our painters blend new finishes into adjacent panels so the repair line disappears. We work with single-stage, two-stage, three-stage, pearl, and metallic finishes.

Can you fix my frame after a major accident?

Yes. Airpark Auto Collision has a computerized frame and unibody alignment system. We measure, pull, and verify every structural repair to manufacturer tolerances before any panel goes back on. If a vehicle is not safe to repair, we'll tell you honestly.

Do you handle the insurance claim for me?

Yes. We work directly with your insurance carrier — submitting estimates and supplements, negotiating part choices, and billing the insurance directly. In most cases, you only pay your deductible at pickup.

Will my advanced safety features (ADAS, cameras, sensors) work after the repair?

Yes. Airpark Auto Collision recalibrates forward-collision cameras, blind-spot radar, parking sensors, and lane-keep assist systems whenever the repair affects them. Your safety features will work exactly as the manufacturer designed.

Do you provide a rental car while my vehicle is in the shop?

If your insurance policy includes rental reimbursement, we'll coordinate a rental for you directly. Without rental coverage, we can refer you to nearby rental partners.

Where is Airpark Auto Collision located?

We're at 7615 Rickenbacker Dr, Suite C in Gaithersburg, MD 20879 — just off Snouffer School Road at Montgomery County Airpark. We serve drivers from Gaithersburg, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Kentlands, Olney, Damascus, Germantown, and Rockville.

Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM, closed Sunday. Call (301) 908-0606 or schedule online any time.

Can you work on all makes and models?

Yes. Airpark Auto Collision services all makes and models — domestic, foreign, and luxury vehicles. From daily drivers to high-end imports, our technicians have the training and equipment to restore your vehicle to factory finish.

Does paintless dent repair remove hail dents completely?

When the paint is undamaged and the dent is a simple round dip, PDR can restore the panel to its original shape without repainting. Panels with cracked paint or stretched metal may need additional work beyond PDR.

How many dents from a hailstorm can be fixed with PDR?

It depends on the size, depth, and location of each dent, and whether the paint stayed intact. A hood or roof can have dozens of small hail dents addressed in the same repair, as long as none of them cracked the paint.

Will my insurance cover hail damage repair?

Hail is generally a comprehensive-coverage claim, separate from collision coverage, but coverage details depend on your specific policy. Our insurance claims help service can walk you through what your policy covers before work begins.

Do you serve areas outside Gaithersburg for hail damage repair?

Yes — in addition to our Gaithersburg location at 7615 Rickenbacker Dr, we serve customers throughout Montgomery County, MD.

How do I book a hail damage inspection?

You can book an appointment through our online booking system, and returning customers can also earn toward our rewards/points program on qualifying services.

Paintless Dent Repair for Hail Damage in Gaithersburg, MD: What to Do Next

How to Tell If Hail Damage Needs Paintless Dent Repair

Hail dents are usually shallow, rounded, and spread across horizontal surfaces like the hood, roof, and trunk lid — the panels that face the sky. If you run your hand over the area and feel a dip but the paint is smooth and unbroken, PDR is typically a good fit. Signs that you may need more than PDR include cracked or flaking paint at the dent, a sharp crease instead of a rounded dip, or damage near a panel edge where the metal has less room to flex.

Why Paintless Dent Repair Works Best for Hail Dents

PDR works by massaging the metal back into shape from behind the panel, without cutting, filling, or repainting. Because hail dents don't usually stretch or tear the metal, this approach can restore the panel's original shape while keeping your factory paint intact. That matters for resale value and for matching the rest of the vehicle's finish exactly, since no paint mixing or blending is involved.

When Hail Damage Needs More Than PDR

Not every hailstorm leaves 'clean' dents. If paint is cracked at the impact point, if a dent sits right on a body line or edge, or if the panel has stretched metal, paintless dent repair alone won't fully correct it. In those cases the affected panel may need traditional collision repair work in addition to PDR on the surrounding dents. A visual inspection is the only way to know for sure which panels qualify for PDR and which don't.

Filing an Insurance Claim for Hail Damage in Montgomery County

Hail damage is typically handled as a comprehensive claim rather than a collision claim, and insurers often want a written estimate before authorizing repairs. If you're not sure how to read your policy or what your adjuster's report should include, our team helps walk Gaithersburg-area customers through the insurance claims process so you know what's covered before repairs start.

Local Note: Hail Season Around Gaithersburg

Montgomery County sees its share of spring and summer thunderstorm activity, and hail is one of the more common causes of sudden, whole-panel dent damage across Gaithersburg and the surrounding cities we serve. Because storm damage often affects multiple vehicles in the same neighborhood at once, we'd rather you book an inspection early — through our online booking — than wait until after paint has had a chance to crack at the dent sites.