Arkansas Drivers Have Rights in Vehicle Collision Repairs

SQR One Coll1sion, based at 170 Taylor Ln in Cabot, Arkansas, offers guidance to drivers on their rights and responsibilities after a collision, particularly in the context of the peak deer-collision season. The shop, also known as SQ1 Collision and commonly searched as Square One Collision, operates in Cabot, Ward, Austin, Furlow, Beebe, Jacksonville, Sherwood, and Vilonia, serving communities across Lonoke and Faulkner counties.

According to SQR One Coll1sion, Arkansas law gives drivers the right to choose where their vehicle is repaired. Under the Trade Practices Act in the State Insurance Code, Arkansas Code 23-66-206(13) explicitly states that insurers may not require a claimant to have a vehicle repaired at a specific shop as a condition of recovery. Arkansas Insurance Department Rule 43 further clarifies that insurers may not require a claimant to travel an unreasonable distance to obtain an estimate or have repairs performed. Drivers can choose an insurer-recommended facility, but are not obligated to do so.

SQR One Coll1sion advises drivers to ask the adjuster directly whether a recommended shop is a requirement or a suggestion, to get that answer in writing when possible, and to inform the insurer of their chosen shop.

Modern vehicles are designed to absorb and redirect crash energy, which can result in hidden damage that is not visible from the outside. A collision that appears minor, such as a cracked bumper cover or broken grille, can also damage the radiator, air-conditioning condenser, headlamp mounts, hood latch support, and radar sensors that are typically mounted behind the front fascia. These components are not visible from the outside and may not be discovered until the vehicle is disassembled.

Insurance estimates are generally written based on what an appraiser can see before the vehicle is taken apart. When a repair facility finds additional damage during disassembly, it documents the findings, often with photographs and a revised parts and labor list, and submits a supplement request to the insurer for approval. Supplements are a routine part of the collision repair process and do not necessarily indicate that the original estimate was done incorrectly or that a shop is overcharging. They reflect information that was not available at the first inspection and can extend repair timelines.

SQR One Coll1sion recommends that drivers keep copies of every estimate and supplement, ask the shop to explain any change in the scope of repairs, and confirm with the insurer how payment will be handled when the final repair cost differs from the original estimate. The shop provides insurance claim assistance and communicates with adjusters on behalf of its customers throughout the process.

When it comes to replacement parts, SQR One Coll1sion uses both OEM parts and crash-certified aftermarket parts depending on the customer’s preference, insurance coverage, and budget. The shop advises drivers to review the parts listed on their estimate line by line, ask how any non-OEM part compares in fit and finish, and find out whether choosing OEM parts would involve paying a price difference under their policy. Drivers should also ask whether the vehicle manufacturer’s repair procedures call for specific parts or methods for the repairs being performed.

Many late-model vehicles rely on cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors. These components are commonly located in the windshield, grille, front and rear bumpers, side mirrors, and quarter panels, which are the same areas frequently damaged in collisions. Even a small change in a sensor’s mounting angle can affect how accurately the system detects objects. For that reason, many automakers specify in their repair procedures that certain sensors be inspected and recalibrated after a collision, after a windshield replacement, or after a bumper or mounting bracket is removed or replaced. Pre-repair and post-repair diagnostic scans are also used to identify stored fault codes that may not trigger a warning light on the dashboard.

Drivers should ask whether their vehicle is equipped with ADAS features, whether calibration is required under the manufacturer’s procedures for the repairs being made, and how the calibration will be documented. A deer strike that damages a front bumper, for example, may involve a radar sensor that controls the vehicle’s automatic emergency braking.

Diminished value after an accident is a concern for drivers. A vehicle with an accident history may sell or trade for less than a comparable vehicle without one, even when it has been properly repaired. This difference is commonly called diminished value. Whether a driver can recover diminished value depends on state law, fault, and policy terms. In Arkansas, as in most states, a driver whose vehicle was damaged by an at-fault driver may generally pursue a diminished value claim against that driver’s liability insurer as a third-party claim. Claims under a driver’s own collision coverage are typically governed by the policy language, and many policies do not cover diminished value. Time limits also apply to property damage claims.

SQR One Coll1sion encourages drivers who believe their vehicle has lost value because of an accident they did not cause to keep thorough repair records, including estimates, supplements, photographs, and invoices, and to consult their insurer or an attorney about whether a diminished value claim is available in their situation. Complete documentation of a quality repair can also be useful when the vehicle is eventually sold.

Choosing a qualified collision repair facility is crucial. SQR One Coll1sion recommends evaluating a shop on several practical points before authorizing work.