Getting into a collision is stressful enough without the paperwork that comes after. If you’ve just been in an accident somewhere around Brookfield, Chillicothe, or anywhere in north-central Missouri, the good news is that filing an insurance claim is more straightforward than most people expect, especially when you know your rights and have a shop in your corner.
At Bailey Brothers Collision Repair, we’ve walked a lot of our neighbors through this exact process. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to filing a collision claim in Missouri and getting your vehicle back to pre-accident condition.
Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe and document the scene
Before you think about insurance, take care of people. Check for injuries, move to a safe spot if you can, and call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the vehicles are blocking traffic. A police report is one of the most valuable documents you can have when you file a claim, so it’s worth waiting for an officer whenever possible.
While you’re there, gather what you can:
• Photos of all vehicles, the damage, license plates, and the overall scene
• The other driver’s name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number
• Names and contact info for any witnesses
• The responding officer’s name and the report number
The more you document now, the smoother your claim will go later.
Step 2: Report the accident to your insurance company
You’ll want to notify your insurer as soon as reasonably possible, many companies let you start a claim by phone, app, or website within minutes. Have your policy number, the accident details, and your photos ready.
You have a choice here about which policy to file under:
• If the other driver was at fault, you can file a claim against their liability insurance.
• If you were at fault, or fault is unclear, you’ll use your own collision coverage (if you carry it).
Keep in mind that Missouri’s minimum required liability coverage is 25/50/25 — $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. That property damage coverage pays for your vehicle only when the other driver is at fault and carries enough coverage. To be protected regardless of who caused the crash, you’ll need collision coverage on your own policy.
Step 3: Understand your deductible
If you’re using your own collision coverage, you’ll pay your deductible, the set amount you agreed to when you bought your policy (often $250, $500, or $1,000). Your insurance covers the approved repair costs above that. If the other driver is found at fault, you may get your deductible back later through a process called subrogation, where your insurer recovers the money from theirs.
Step 4: Know your rights: you choose the repair shop
This is the part a lot of Missouri drivers don’t realize: the shop is your decision, not your insurance company’s.
Under Missouri law, the vehicle owner has the right to choose where their car is repaired. In fact, every repair estimate written on behalf of an insurer is legally required to include a bold notice stating that you have the right to choose your repair facility, and that no one may use intimidation or coercive tactics to change your choice.
Your insurer may recommend a shop from their “preferred” or “direct repair” network, and they’re allowed to make that suggestion, but they cannot require it. They also can’t make you travel an unreasonable distance for an estimate. If an insurer insists on a specific shop, they’re responsible for restoring your vehicle to its pre-accident condition at no extra cost to you. Pressuring you beyond a genuine recommendation is treated under Missouri law as an unfair settlement practice.
Bottom line: if you’d rather bring your vehicle to a local, family-owned shop you trust, that’s entirely your call.
Step 5: Get an estimate and let the shop work with the adjuster
Once you’ve picked your shop, bring the vehicle in (or have it towed if it isn’t drivable, you get to decide where it goes). We’ll inspect the damage and write a detailed repair estimate.
From there, a good shop does the heavy lifting for you. We’ll communicate directly with your insurance adjuster, provide the documentation they need, and agree on a fair, accurate scope of repair. You shouldn’t have to play middleman between your body shop and your insurance company, that’s our job.
Step 6: Don’t panic about supplements
It’s very common for a shop to find additional damage once they start disassembling a vehicle, bent components or hidden structural issues that weren’t visible in the first estimate. When that happens, the shop submits a supplement: updated documentation and photos sent to the insurer for the extra work.
Supplements are a normal, expected part of the process. With proper documentation, insurers almost always approve them and pay the shop directly, so you’re not stuck covering the difference out of pocket.
Step 7: Ask about parts: OEM vs. aftermarket
Not all replacement parts are the same. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are made by your vehicle’s manufacturer and match the original fit and safety performance. Aftermarket parts are produced by third parties and are often cheaper, but may not match as precisely.
Missouri law requires that estimates disclose when non-OEM parts will be used, and those parts must meet the fit and quality of OEM. If OEM parts matter to you, say so in writing to both your shop and your insurer before work begins. A reputable shop will walk you through the options and make sure your vehicle’s safety systems, including modern ADAS features like cameras and sensors, are properly restored and calibrated.
Step 8: Approve the work, pay your deductible, and get back on the road
Once the scope is agreed on, you’ll authorize the repairs. In Missouri, your shop should provide a repair order before work begins and an itemized invoice when it’s done, keep both. When the repair is complete, you pay your deductible (if applicable), and in most cases the insurer pays the shop directly for the rest.
Before you drive off, ask about the shop’s warranty on the work. Remember: warranties come from the repair shop, not the insurance company, so a lifetime guarantee has nothing to do with which shop your insurer “prefers.”
If something goes wrong
If you feel an insurer is pressuring you, lowballing a repair, or steering you against your wishes, you have places to turn. You can file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, which oversees insurer conduct in the state. For concerns about a repair shop’s business practices, the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline handles complaints under the state’s Merchandising Practices Act.
We’re here to make it easy
Filing a collision claim doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Know your rights, document everything, and choose a shop that treats you like a neighbor, because in a small town, that’s exactly what you are.
At Bailey Brothers Collision Repair, we handle the insurance headaches so you don’t have to. From working with your adjuster to using quality parts and standing behind our work, we’ll get your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition and get you safely back on the road. Serving Brookfield, Chillicothe, and the surrounding communities.
Been in an accident? Give us a call or stop by for a free estimate, and remember, the choice of shop is always yours.
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