15 Years in Business Serving the Greater Wichita area
This year is a big year for our company. 2021 marks the 15th year Collision Center of Andover has been in business!
It was on March 14, 2006 when founder and president Ben Lawrence opened the doors of our auto body shop here at 948 N. Andover Rd. Ben continues to run the business that has remained at this location for all of our 15 years. Our location has provided us great opportunity to serve not just the people of Andover, but also residents from Wichita and surrounding towns.
Auto Body Shop Accomplishments
Since the beginning, it has been our commitment to provide the best auto body service in the area. We often get customers from Wichita who decide the pass up on closer shops because they know they can trust our expert vehicle repair service.
In addition to our dedication of having the most skilled auto body technicians around, we have been awarded for our quality of work. Collision Center of Andover received the Gold I-Car Certification, which is truly the gold standard in the auto body industry. With this certification, you can be sure Collision Center of Andover will get your damaged vehicle back looking as good as new.
Our Team. Our Family.
Our team at Collision Center of Andover is responsible for our great success over these many years. We are like family, and in some cases, we mean that literally. Some of our team has been with our shop since also the beginning, including highly skilled technicians Kenny and Neil or Kyle who is quite possibly the best estimator in town.
Thank You to All Our Customers!
We wouldn’t be celebrating if it wasn’t for all of our wonderful customers. Supporting local businesses like ours is what makes our Kansas communities such a great place to live. We have serviced tens of thousands of customers and appreciate each and every one of you. We feel incredibly grateful whenever you share your feedback of how we restored your vehicle. From the dozens of 5-star reviews on Google to the many glowing customer testimonials, we love hearing how we exceeded your expectations!
Along with providing needed vehicle repair service, Collision Center of Andover has given back to the communities that have given us so much. Whether it is supporting Andover schools and Butler Community College, the Andover Caring and Sharing Mission, or participating in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Wichita, our shop is proud to be involved in some of the best parts of our community.
Collision Center is Here to Help You
If you find yourself with a damaged vehicle, whether from a collision or hail damage or a door ding from the parking lot, let us help.
Collision Center of Andover specialize in paintless dent repair which allows us to fix your vehicle with state-of-the-art technology that gets you out of the shop quickly and more cheaply than traditional vehicle body repair.
Getting into a vehicle accident, even small ones, can cause a lot of headaches. Fortunately, most accidents do not cause personal injuries. But when you find yourself in a vehicle collision, you may be faced with handling financial, legal and other documentation work. But you may be wondering, do I have to report a car accident to the DMV?
The Department of Motor Vehicles is one organization that you may have to deal with after you are involved in an accident. The Kansas DMV is a division of the Kansas Department of Revenue.
DMV Accident Reports
The Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles keeps tracks of a variety of reporting documents. These records include your driving record, your license, your license plate, and your vehicle title. For this reason, the DMV does get involved in some vehicle collisions.
If you get into an accident where the police are involved, the police will notify the DMV with their police reports. Because the DMV keeps track of your driving record, whichever driver(s) were at fault will be reported to them.
If you had a minor collision and no police officer was called to respond to it, you do not need to contact the DMV. If no tickets were issued and no claims need to be filed, there is probably no reason to report the accident to the DMV.
When Do You Need to Contact the DMV About an Accident?
If you were found at fault of a serious infraction, this can cause a lot of issues. You may have to pay more for your car insurance or even have your driver’s license suspended. Of course, you want to make sure you don’t face any consequences that you don’t have to.
Making sure the records are correct is one reason why you may choose to contact the DMV. It’s not required, but something worth doing if you suspect wrong information exists. If the officer reported something incorrect, you would want the DMV to correct the information. For example, if you were fined for not having proof of insurance but you do have insurance, you would notify the DMV with the correct information. You can expect to be asked to provide supporting documents of proof.
DMV Reporting & Your Insurance
Whatever gets reported to the DMV does not necessarily also get relayed to your insurance company. If you need to make an insurance claim on a vehicle accident, you would need to contact your insurance company separately.
An insurance company would not typically report anything to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If they do, it’s likely because there is an issue related to the records the DMV keeps, such as an insurance lapse or a conviction of a serious offense like a DUI.
An accident that is reported to the DMV will be added to the driving records they keep. It will remain on your record likely for several years. This is true no matter if you were the driver at fault or not.
Kansas Law: What You Have to Report
Every state has its own laws regarding what reporting is required after an accident. Here in Kansas, our law is pretty simple. Whether you get into a traffic accident in Wichita, Andover, or any town in Kansas, you only need to report it to the police.
But not every accident needs to be reported. Traffic accidents that you do NOT need to report include:
Accidents where a police officer comes to the scene (they will report it themselves)
An accident that does not result in property damages exceeding $1000
An accident where no one was seriously injured or killed
Per Kansas state law, you need to file any necessary report as immediately as possible. If you do not report an accident that the law requires, your license could be suspended.
VEHICLE DAMAGE: FULL-SERVICE AUTO BODY REPAIR
If your vehicle was damaged from an accident, you will want to find a reputable local auto body shop that can professional handle any and all problems with your vehicle. While some damage may be easy to spot, there may be other issues like unibody alignment problems that you may not be able to see but are very important to get fixed before driving your vehicle again.
Collision Center of Andover has been trusted to repair cars and trucks in the Wichita area since 2006. Do not wait to get your vehicle looked at if you suspect an alignment problem. Bring your vehicle in to our state-of-the-art auto body shop for a quick and thorough repair. If it’s too damaged to drive, you can utilize our towing services.
Our experienced technicians will check everything under the hood to make sure your vehicle is fixed and safe to drive. Give us a call at (316) 733-9310 or request a free quote online. We are conveniently located just a few miles east of Wichita on Andover Rd.
Diagnosing When a Car Pulls to the Side, Shakes, or Has Tire Wear
Let’s set something straight: it doesn’t have to take a collision for your vehicle’s alignment to be put out of whack. Simply driving around Andover or Wichita streets can be all it takes to cause an alignment problem. If you notice odd tire wear or your vehicle pulling to the left, that’s the right time to start wondering if you’ve got a series problem with its alignment.
Here at Collision Center of Andover, we regularly service and fix cars who have suffered alignment problems. And while there are many things that can cause your tires to become misaligned, there are three common ways that cause this damage other than an actual vehicle accident.
POTHOLES
Those annoying potholes that seem to pop up every day are a major source for causing alignment problems. You may think you’ve run over a pothole and think it wasn’t all that serious when even a small pothole could put your car out of proper alignment. If you do spot a big pothole, you can help keep other drivers on the road from running into it. The City of Wichita allows you to report a Wichita KS pothole online to help them be alerted it needs to be fixed.
CURBS
We have probably all done this. We accidentally go over a curb out of a parking lot or while making a turn. While it might not seem like a problem, unfortunately that could be enough to throw your vehicle’s alignment off.
DAILY DRIVING
Even if you manage to avoid all the potholes and curbs, your vehicle could still be in need of an alignment. Simply driving around normally can cause alignment issues for a vehicle. So just because you have never had any sort of accident or bump with your vehicle, you still should not ignore the signs of a car being out of alignment.
The signs are not always obvious. The parts that are out of alignment are probably all out of view. But there are some tell-tale signs that could mean your vehicle is in need of an alignment.
DO I NEED A VEHICLE ALIGNMENT?
Top 5 SIGNS Your Car is Out of Alignment
Your vehicle seems to be pulling to one side
Damage or wear patterns in certain parts of your tires
Steering wheel is crooked when you are driving straight
Gaps in body panels
Tires do not appear to be facing straight ahead
FIRST SIGNS OF POOR ALIGNMENT
The first thing you should do once you notice any of these signs of potential misalignment is to take your vehicle in to a mechanic and get it checked. If the problem is poor alignment, it is only going to get worse or turn into a bigger problem.
Not only that, but it’s also not safe driving a vehicle that is out of alignment. This problem can affect a lot of other components and could reduce your safety on the road. Your vehicle’s alignment affects your tires, your steering, and even how well you stop.
The Costs of Waiting to Get an Alignment
Delaying a needed tire alignment is only going to cost you more money in the long run. There are several ways that car out of alignment affects your wallet. It can reduce your fuel efficiency, sending you to the gas station more often than you normally would. But more likely you’ll find yourself needing to pay for new tires well before their time because of the abnormal wear they suffered from being unaligned.
Get it checked out right away and you may avoid the problem from getting worse. It can put added stress on your steering and suspension. Contact us at Collision Center of Andover and we’ll get your in to accurately diagnose any alignment problems. At our state-of-the-art autobody facility, we have the tools to quickly and accurately diagnose the exact problem your vehicle has. If your vehicle isn’t able to be driven, we have towing services to help.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ALIGNMENT
Front-end Alignment: This is the most common type of alignment work and it is to address any misalignment with the front axle.
Thrust Alignment: This is combining the front-end alignment with the thrust angle, which is used to ensure the front wheels are aligned with the back wheels
Four-wheel Alignment: This is typically for four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles. This is the most comprehensive alignment and addresses both the front-end alignment and the thrust alignment.
FULL-SERVICE AUTO BODY REPAIR
Do not wait to get your vehicle looked at if you suspect an alignment problem. Bring your vehicle in to Collision Center of Andover and we will have your alignment checked. We provide Computerized Frame & Unibody Alignment services as well as flawless repair to any body damage your vehicle has. Give us a call at (316) 733-9310 or request a free alignment quote online. We are conveniently located just a few miles east of Wichita on Andover Rd.
VEHICLE ALIGNMENT FAQ
How often should I get an alignment?
The standard recommendation for most vehicles is that you should get a wheel alignment every 2 or 3 years.
Can I align my own car?
Depending on the owner’s capabilities, it is possible to handle some level of vehicle alignment as long as the steering wheel is properly centered. Some companies provide tools that let you check your alignment yourself.
Is an alignment needed when I get new tires?
You don’t necessarily need an alignment done when you get new tires installed, but it is a good idea to also have it checked then.
Is a lifetime alignment worth the extra cost?
Lifetime alignments can really be beneficial in the long run. However, it’s a cost waste for a lot of drivers who purchase the additional warranty and then neglect to actually use them.
Can a bad alignment cause my car to shake?
A vehicle out of alignment can cause a shaking steering wheel, especially noticeable at higher speeds.
Does a Dented Car Door Need to be Replaced?
Repair Time: How Long Does It Take to Replace a Car Door?
Collision Center of Andover Celebrates 15th Anniversary
15 Years in Business Serving the Greater Wichita area
This year is a big year for our company. 2021 marks the 15th year Collision Center of Andover has been in business!
It was on March 14, 2006 when founder and president Ben Lawrence opened the doors of our auto body shop here at 948 N. Andover Rd. Ben continues to run the business that has remained at this location for all of our 15 years. Our location has provided us great opportunity to serve not just the people of Andover, but also residents from Wichita and surrounding towns.
Auto Body Shop Accomplishments
Since the beginning, it has been our commitment to provide the best auto body service in the area. We often get customers from Wichita who decide the pass up on closer shops because they know they can trust our expert vehicle repair service.
In addition to our dedication of having the most skilled auto body technicians around, we have been awarded for our quality of work. Collision Center of Andover received the Gold I-Car Certification, which is truly the gold standard in the auto body industry. With this certification, you can be sure Collision Center of Andover will get your damaged vehicle back looking as good as new.
Our Team. Our Family.
Our team at Collision Center of Andover is responsible for our great success over these many years. We are like family, and in some cases, we mean that literally. Some of our team has been with our shop since also the beginning, including highly skilled technicians Kenny and Neil or Kyle who is quite possibly the best estimator in town.
Thank You to All Our Customers!
We wouldn’t be celebrating if it wasn’t for all of our wonderful customers. Supporting local businesses like ours is what makes our Kansas communities such a great place to live. We have serviced tens of thousands of customers and appreciate each and every one of you. We feel incredibly grateful whenever you share your feedback of how we restored your vehicle. From the dozens of 5-star reviews on Google to the many glowing customer testimonials, we love hearing how we exceeded your expectations!
Along with providing needed vehicle repair service, Collision Center of Andover has given back to the communities that have given us so much. Whether it is supporting Andover schools and Butler Community College, the Andover Caring and Sharing Mission, or participating in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Wichita, our shop is proud to be involved in some of the best parts of our community.
Collision Center is Here to Help You
If you find yourself with a damaged vehicle, whether from a collision or hail damage or a door ding from the parking lot, let us help.
Collision Center of Andover specialize in paintless dent repair which allows us to fix your vehicle with state-of-the-art technology that gets you out of the shop quickly and more cheaply than traditional vehicle body repair.
Give us a call at (316) 733-9310 and let us know how we can get your vehicle back to its original condition. We can even provide a virtual quote option to get you a free estimate quickly over the phone.
Do I Report a Car Accident to the DMV?
After a Crash: Reporting Requirements in Kansas
Getting into a vehicle accident, even small ones, can cause a lot of headaches. Fortunately, most accidents do not cause personal injuries. But when you find yourself in a vehicle collision, you may be faced with handling financial, legal and other documentation work. But you may be wondering, do I have to report a car accident to the DMV?
The Department of Motor Vehicles is one organization that you may have to deal with after you are involved in an accident. The Kansas DMV is a division of the Kansas Department of Revenue.
DMV Accident Reports
The Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles keeps tracks of a variety of reporting documents. These records include your driving record, your license, your license plate, and your vehicle title. For this reason, the DMV does get involved in some vehicle collisions.
If you get into an accident where the police are involved, the police will notify the DMV with their police reports. Because the DMV keeps track of your driving record, whichever driver(s) were at fault will be reported to them.
If you had a minor collision and no police officer was called to respond to it, you do not need to contact the DMV. If no tickets were issued and no claims need to be filed, there is probably no reason to report the accident to the DMV.
When Do You Need to Contact the DMV About an Accident?
If you were found at fault of a serious infraction, this can cause a lot of issues. You may have to pay more for your car insurance or even have your driver’s license suspended. Of course, you want to make sure you don’t face any consequences that you don’t have to.
Making sure the records are correct is one reason why you may choose to contact the DMV. It’s not required, but something worth doing if you suspect wrong information exists. If the officer reported something incorrect, you would want the DMV to correct the information. For example, if you were fined for not having proof of insurance but you do have insurance, you would notify the DMV with the correct information. You can expect to be asked to provide supporting documents of proof.
DMV Reporting & Your Insurance
Whatever gets reported to the DMV does not necessarily also get relayed to your insurance company. If you need to make an insurance claim on a vehicle accident, you would need to contact your insurance company separately.
An insurance company would not typically report anything to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If they do, it’s likely because there is an issue related to the records the DMV keeps, such as an insurance lapse or a conviction of a serious offense like a DUI.
An accident that is reported to the DMV will be added to the driving records they keep. It will remain on your record likely for several years. This is true no matter if you were the driver at fault or not.
Kansas Law: What You Have to Report
Every state has its own laws regarding what reporting is required after an accident. Here in Kansas, our law is pretty simple. Whether you get into a traffic accident in Wichita, Andover, or any town in Kansas, you only need to report it to the police.
But not every accident needs to be reported. Traffic accidents that you do NOT need to report include:
Per Kansas state law, you need to file any necessary report as immediately as possible. If you do not report an accident that the law requires, your license could be suspended.
VEHICLE DAMAGE: FULL-SERVICE AUTO BODY REPAIR
If your vehicle was damaged from an accident, you will want to find a reputable local auto body shop that can professional handle any and all problems with your vehicle. While some damage may be easy to spot, there may be other issues like unibody alignment problems that you may not be able to see but are very important to get fixed before driving your vehicle again.
Collision Center of Andover has been trusted to repair cars and trucks in the Wichita area since 2006. Do not wait to get your vehicle looked at if you suspect an alignment problem. Bring your vehicle in to our state-of-the-art auto body shop for a quick and thorough repair. If it’s too damaged to drive, you can utilize our towing services.
Our experienced technicians will check everything under the hood to make sure your vehicle is fixed and safe to drive. Give us a call at (316) 733-9310 or request a free quote online. We are conveniently located just a few miles east of Wichita on Andover Rd.
Do I Need A Vehicle Alignment?
Diagnosing When a Car Pulls to the Side, Shakes, or Has Tire Wear
Let’s set something straight: it doesn’t have to take a collision for your vehicle’s alignment to be put out of whack. Simply driving around Andover or Wichita streets can be all it takes to cause an alignment problem. If you notice odd tire wear or your vehicle pulling to the left, that’s the right time to start wondering if you’ve got a series problem with its alignment.
Here at Collision Center of Andover, we regularly service and fix cars who have suffered alignment problems. And while there are many things that can cause your tires to become misaligned, there are three common ways that cause this damage other than an actual vehicle accident.
POTHOLES
Those annoying potholes that seem to pop up every day are a major source for causing alignment problems. You may think you’ve run over a pothole and think it wasn’t all that serious when even a small pothole could put your car out of proper alignment. If you do spot a big pothole, you can help keep other drivers on the road from running into it. The City of Wichita allows you to report a Wichita KS pothole online to help them be alerted it needs to be fixed.
CURBS
We have probably all done this. We accidentally go over a curb out of a parking lot or while making a turn. While it might not seem like a problem, unfortunately that could be enough to throw your vehicle’s alignment off.
DAILY DRIVING
Even if you manage to avoid all the potholes and curbs, your vehicle could still be in need of an alignment. Simply driving around normally can cause alignment issues for a vehicle. So just because you have never had any sort of accident or bump with your vehicle, you still should not ignore the signs of a car being out of alignment.
The signs are not always obvious. The parts that are out of alignment are probably all out of view. But there are some tell-tale signs that could mean your vehicle is in need of an alignment.
DO I NEED A VEHICLE ALIGNMENT?
Top 5 SIGNS Your Car is Out of Alignment
FIRST SIGNS OF POOR ALIGNMENT
The first thing you should do once you notice any of these signs of potential misalignment is to take your vehicle in to a mechanic and get it checked. If the problem is poor alignment, it is only going to get worse or turn into a bigger problem.
Not only that, but it’s also not safe driving a vehicle that is out of alignment. This problem can affect a lot of other components and could reduce your safety on the road. Your vehicle’s alignment affects your tires, your steering, and even how well you stop.
The Costs of Waiting to Get an Alignment
Delaying a needed tire alignment is only going to cost you more money in the long run. There are several ways that car out of alignment affects your wallet. It can reduce your fuel efficiency, sending you to the gas station more often than you normally would. But more likely you’ll find yourself needing to pay for new tires well before their time because of the abnormal wear they suffered from being unaligned.
Get it checked out right away and you may avoid the problem from getting worse. It can put added stress on your steering and suspension. Contact us at Collision Center of Andover and we’ll get your in to accurately diagnose any alignment problems. At our state-of-the-art autobody facility, we have the tools to quickly and accurately diagnose the exact problem your vehicle has. If your vehicle isn’t able to be driven, we have towing services to help.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ALIGNMENT
Front-end Alignment: This is the most common type of alignment work and it is to address any misalignment with the front axle.
Thrust Alignment: This is combining the front-end alignment with the thrust angle, which is used to ensure the front wheels are aligned with the back wheels
Four-wheel Alignment: This is typically for four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles. This is the most comprehensive alignment and addresses both the front-end alignment and the thrust alignment.
FULL-SERVICE AUTO BODY REPAIR
Do not wait to get your vehicle looked at if you suspect an alignment problem. Bring your vehicle in to Collision Center of Andover and we will have your alignment checked. We provide Computerized Frame & Unibody Alignment services as well as flawless repair to any body damage your vehicle has. Give us a call at (316) 733-9310 or request a free alignment quote online. We are conveniently located just a few miles east of Wichita on Andover Rd.
VEHICLE ALIGNMENT FAQ
How often should I get an alignment?
Can I align my own car?
Is an alignment needed when I get new tires?
Is a lifetime alignment worth the extra cost?
Can a bad alignment cause my car to shake?