Frame Repair & Replacement

Damage to a vehicle’s frame doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. Frame repairs are more complicated than other repairs, but all it takes is the right team and the latest equipment to return your vehicle to its original structure.

Our technicians are highly skilled and certified in the repair and replacement of both types of frame structures:

  • Unibody: The frame and body are one single structure. Most modern cars have this type of construction.
  • Body-on-Frame: The frame base and body are separate. Not many modern cars use this structure, but it’s still widely used in pickup trucks and SUVs.

 

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Our certified technicians can provide frame repairs for both unibody frames and body-on-frame construction for all vehicle makes and models. This service is available at the following locations:

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We've Got Your Back

We have the expertise and resources to get you back on the road quickly and safely.

  • The Most Advanced Facilities & Equipment
    We use manufacturer-approved frame repair equipment and technology from Car-O-Liner.
  • Key Collision Guarantee
    All frame and unibody work is guaranteed for as long as you own your vehicle.
  • Highly Certified Technicians
    Our technicians are the best in the business and hold the most up-to-date industry certifications.
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Effortless Insurance Claims

Our relationships with all insurance companies means we can do the heavy lifting for you.

We’re happy to alleviate your stress and facilitate the frame repair or replacement process with your insurance provider. We also offer:

  • 24-hour towing
  • Rental vehicles available through Enterprise

 

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Our Process

Here’s what you need to know during the complete collision repair process.
1
Insurance
2
Planning
3
Repair
4
Paint
5
Reassembly
6
QC Check
7
Pickup
8
Warranty
STEP 1:

Insurance & Communication

Most insurance carriers are open 24/7, which means you can file a claim after hours or on the weekends. Contact your local Key Collision to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required.

When you leave your vehicle at one of our locations, we will require (and help) you to remove everything inside your vehicle. The paperwork will include an authorization to repair and limited power of attorney. We will also discuss the terms of vehicle payment, including your insurance deductible. If you need a rental car, we work directly with Enterprise.

We also encourage our customers to opt for text message updates as we have found it’s the most efficient means of communication. We will alert you as to where your car is in the repair process and contact you via text with any questions.

STEP 2: Planning
SEE THE KEY DIFFERENCE
STEP 1:

Insurance & Communication

A woman with glasses and wavy hair is smiling while looking at a computer screen, indicating engagement or satisfaction with her work.
STEP 2:

Vehicle Disassembly & Your Repair Plan

We use a structured approach to evaluate the damage to your vehicle on a part-by-part basis, including electrical scanning of the vehicle’s systems to uncover any underlying issues. After disassembling your vehicle to inspect for full damage, we create a thorough blueprint detailing everything that will happen during the repair process. All of this takes between 1–3 hours.

We’ll submit the repair plan to your insurance company after the disassembly and blueprint process is complete to expedite the approval. Your insurance company will approve the plan and any additional estimates, if necessary. Once we’re in agreement, we order the necessary parts and begin repairs.

STEP 1: Insurance
STEP 3: Repair
STEP 2:

Vehicle Disassembly & Your Repair Plan

Two auto workers are focused on a task with a white car. One, with tattooed arms, is standing and holding a pen, possibly assessing or planning the work to be done. The other, wearing a beanie, is crouched and appears to be feeling the surface of the car door, possibly checking the work done or preparing for the next step.
STEP 3:

The Repair Process

In most cases, we begin repairs immediately — even before the new parts arrive. This process includes both computerized measuring of any structural damage and mechanical repairs. The timeline will depend on the extent of the damage, but we will keep you informed every step of the way while we use the most up-to-date technology and equipment to provide the best possible repairs. We also use Mirka dust-free sanding systems for safe, efficient repairs and the health of our technicians.

STEP 2: Planning
STEP 4: Paint
STEP 3:

The Repair Process

A close-up of hands using a power drill with a polishing attachment on the surface of a car, creating a swirl of dust and debris. This suggests a step in the vehicle repair process, possibly buffing or sanding a section of the car body.
STEP 4:

Our Full-Service Paint Shop

After your vehicle is repaired, it will visit our full-service paint shop. We have chosen manufacturer-approved BASF automotive paints for their high quality and environmental friendliness. To protect the new paint and make your vehicle shine, our I-CAR, BASF and ASE certified technicians apply resilient finishes and glosses.

STEP 3: Repair
STEP 5: Reassembly
STEP 4:

Our Full-Service Paint Shop

An array of paint canisters attached to a dispensing system, each labeled with different color codes and names such as Persimmon Orange and Red Orange. The system appears to be used for precision in paint mixing or selection in an industrial or retail paint-mixing setting.
STEP 5:

Vehicle Reassembly

We take great care in reassembling your vehicle, including the use of AirPro Diagnostics systems. Because Key Collision uses AirPro Diagnostics, we have access to the OEM software with the most up-to-date information available. This ensures that repairs can happen directly at Key Collision, which means a faster turnaround time than many other repair shops. At this point, you will receive a text message telling you where we are in the process, including an estimated time frame for completion. After the reassembly process is complete, we wash, clean and vacuum your vehicle.

STEP 4: Paint
STEP 6: QC Check
STEP 5:

Vehicle Reassembly

A person is using a red cordless impact driver to work on the inner mechanics of a car door, which appears to be partially disassembled. The focus is on the tool and the hand of the technician, showing a detail of the reassembly process in vehicle repair.
STEP 6:

Quality Control Check

Our quality control department performs a thorough part-by-part inspection.

STEP 5: Reassembly
STEP 7: Pickup
STEP 6:

Quality Control Check

A person is filling out a quality control checklist with a red pen. The form is clipped to a board, with the name 'Christopher' filled in a field at the top. The focus is on the hand and the checklist, highlighting a step in the quality assurance process.
STEP 7:

Vehicle Pickup, Payment & Repair Review

We will contact you by text message and follow up by phone that your vehicle is ready. We will also confirm payment to ensure vehicle pickup goes smoothly. Upon arrival, one of our staff members will review the repairs of your vehicle carside. If you’re using an Enterprise rental car, we’ll take care of its return.

STEP 6: QC Check
STEP 8: Warranty
STEP 7:

Vehicle Pickup, Payment & Repair Review

A white sedan car is parked in front of a building with the sign 'KEY COLLISION OF CONCORD'. The building has a modern look with a mix of gray siding and white panels, and a few snow piles on the side indicate a winter or early spring season. This setting suggests the car may be ready for pick-up after servicing at the collision center.
STEP 8:

Lifetime Warranty

Rest assured that you can feel confident in your repairs. Our work is guaranteed in writing for as long as you own the vehicle.

STEP 7: Pickup

Did You Know?

In New England, you have the right to choose where you receive repairs — no matter what your insurance company says.

Services

Your Full-Service Auto Body Repair Shop
Frequently Asked Questions: Auto Body Frame & Unibody Repair
Can a unibody frame be repaired?

In unibody vehicle design, the frame and body are one single structure.

Read More
How much does it cost to replace a unibody?

Many factors will determine how much a unibody replacement will cost, including where the damage is on the frame, the material the unibody frame is made of, and the extent of the damage.

Read More
Will I get a temporary vehicle to use during my frame repair?

Rental vehicles are available to all our customers through Enterprise.

Read More
View All FAQs

Proudly Serving Northern New England and Beyond

No matter the make or model of your vehicle, the expert staff at our 11 convenient collision centers will get you back in the driver's seat.