Eldridge Body Shop Inc

Since 1974, Eldridge Body Shop has proudly served Eldridge, Iowa, and surrounding communities with trusted auto body repair. Our locally owned shop combines decades of experience with modern repair techniques to restore vehicles safely and with care. From collision and hail damage to dent repair, custom painting, frame and unibody repair, diagnostics, and detailing, our experienced team is committed to quality workmanship, honest service, and making the repair process as smooth as possible.

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What the Locals are Saying

"I genuinely appreciated the communication regarding the status of my vehicle. They did an excellent job detailing and reassembling my car. I recently purchased this vehicle from the dealership, and they did a significantly better job of detailing it compared to what they did. Thank you!"- Jeremy

"Everything went perfectly, from the estimate, and scheduling, to the great job getting my truck repaired like new again without any surprises. The guys even had the vehicle washed from top to bottom before I picked it up! Eldridge Body Shop is #1 in my book, and why it’s the ONLY place I take our vehicles when they need some body work done. They do excellent work!"- David

Frequently Asked Questions

Estimates & Appointments 

Do I need an appointment for an estimate? 

Yes, we recommend scheduling an appointment for an estimate. This allows us to make sure someone is available to look over your vehicle and give it the attention it needs.  

How long does an estimate take? 

Most estimates take around 20-30 minutes, depending on the amount of damage. More complicated damage may take a little longer.  

Do you charge for estimates? 

No. Estimates for collision and auto body repairs are free. 

What should I bring with me for an estimate? 

Please bring your vehicle and any insurance or claim information you already have. If you have an insurance estimate, feel free to bring that along as well.  

Can I send photos to get an estimate? 

Photos can be helpful for getting an idea of the damage, but we generally need to see the vehicle in person to provide an accurate estimate. Collision damage isn't always visible in pictures.  

Insurance 

Do you work with all insurance companies? 

Yes. We work with all insurance companies and regularly communicate with adjusters throughout the repair process. 

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

No. You have the right to choose which repair shop repairs your vehicle. Your insurance company may recommend certain shops, but the final decision is yours.  

Can you work directly with my insurance company? 

Yes. Once the claim is established, we can communicate directly with your insurance company regarding the estimate, additional damage, supplements, and other repair-related items.  

What happens if the insurance estimate is lower than the actual cost of repairs? 

This is very common. Insurance estimates are often written before the vehicle is disassembled, so hidden damage may not be included. If additional repairs are needed, we'll document them and submit a supplement to the insurance company.  

What is a supplement, and do I have to handle it myself? 

A supplement is an additional estimate for damage or repairs that weren't included in the original insurance estimate. We handle the supplement process and communicate with the insurance company so you don't have to.  

Can I have my vehicle repaired before the insurance claim is settled? 

It depends on the situation. We recommend contacting us first so we can review the claim and make sure everything is properly documented before repairs begin.  

Collision Repairs 

How long will my vehicle repairs take? 

Repair times vary depending on the amount of damage, parts availability, insurance approval, and the type of repairs needed. Once we've inspected the vehicle and have a repair plan, we'll give you a better idea of the expected completion time.  

Will you keep me updated during the repair? 

Yes. We keep our customers updated throughout the repair process and will let you know if anything changes that could affect the completion date.  

Do you use OEM or aftermarket parts? 

The parts used depend on the vehicle, repair requirements, availability, and what the insurance company has approved. We'll make sure you understand your options if there are questions about the parts being used.  

Can you match my vehicle's paint color? 

Yes. We use professional automotive paint-matching and refinishing processes to get the repaired area to match the rest of your vehicle as closely as possible.  

Do you perform wheel alignments after collision repairs? 

Yes, when an alignment is needed as part of the repair, we can perform it and verify that the vehicle is within the proper specifications.  

Do you perform vehicle scans and ADAS calibrations? 

Yes. Today's vehicles can have cameras, radar sensors, parking sensors, blind-spot systems, and other advanced safety technology. When required, we'll make sure the necessary pre-scans, post-scans, calibrations, and related procedures are completed as part of the repair.  

What happens if you find additional damage after repairs begin? 

It's very common to find hidden damage once a vehicle is disassembled. If we find additional damage, we'll document it, update the repair plan, and work with the insurance company when applicable. We'll also keep you informed if it affects the repair cost or completion date.  

Drop-Off, Rental & Pickup 

Can I drop my vehicle off before or after business hours? 

Yes. We have a key drop available for customers who need to leave their vehicle outside of normal business hours. Please contact us beforehand so we can give you the proper instructions.  

Do you help arrange a rental vehicle? 

Yes. If you need a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired, we can help coordinate the process. Rental coverage and limits will depend on your insurance policy or claim.  

What should I remove from my vehicle before dropping it off? 

We recommend removing valuables and any personal belongings you'll need while your vehicle is being repaired. It's also a good idea to remove garage door openers, important documents, and child seats if you will need them. 

How will I know when my vehicle is ready? 

We'll contact you when your vehicle is completed and ready for pickup. We ask that you wait until we've confirmed the vehicle is finished before making arrangements to pick it up.  

What forms of payment do you accept? 

Contact us before pickup if you have questions about payment methods, insurance checks, deductibles, or who is responsible for payment on your claim. We'll make sure everything is clear before you pick up your vehicle.  

Can someone else pick up my vehicle for me? 

Usually, yes. Please let us know ahead of time if someone else will be picking up your vehicle so we can make the appropriate arrangements.  

After Your Repair 

Is there a warranty on your repairs? 

We stand behind the work we perform. If you ever have a concern with a repair we've completed, contact us and we'll be happy to take a look at it.  

How soon can I wash my vehicle after it has been painted? 

You can gently hand wash your vehicle after the repair, but fresh paint needs some time before it should be waxed, polished, or exposed to harsh chemicals. Ask us at pickup and we'll give you recommendations based on the work that was performed.  

Can I take my vehicle through an automatic car wash after repairs? 

Car washes are fine, but we recommend waiting 30 days before any paste wax is applied to the newly painted areas.  

What should I do if I notice an issue after picking up my vehicle? 

Give us a call. If something doesn't look, sound, or feel right after the repair, we'd rather have you bring it back so we can take a look.  

Will my vehicle need additional calibrations or maintenance after the repair? 

Any calibrations required as part of the collision repair should be completed before the vehicle is returned to you. If there is anything that needs additional attention afterward, we'll let you know before you leave.  

General Questions 

What types of vehicles do you repair? 

We repair most makes and models, including cars, trucks, SUVs, hybrids, and many newer vehicles equipped with advanced safety technology.  

Do you only repair vehicles that are going through insurance? 

No. We handle both insurance claims and customer-pay repairs. 

Can you repair small dents, scratches, and cosmetic damage? 

Yes. Not every repair has to involve a major accident. We can inspect dents, scratches, bumper damage, paint damage, and other cosmetic issues and let you know what repair options are available.  

My vehicle is still drivable after an accident. Is it safe to keep driving? 

It depends on the damage. A vehicle can look drivable while having damage to suspension, steering, cooling components, lights, sensors, or other safety-related systems. If you're unsure, contact us, and we'll help determine whether the vehicle should be driven or towed.  

Why can collision repairs take longer than expected? 

Modern collision repairs involve much more than replacing damaged panels. Parts availability, hidden damage, insurance approvals, structural repairs, refinishing, scanning, alignments, and safety-system calibrations can all affect the repair timeline. Our goal is to repair the vehicle properly rather than rush the process.