How Insurance Supplements Work in Collision Repair
If you’ve ever dropped your car off for auto collision repair and then got a call saying the shop needs to submit a “supplement” to your insurance company,” you’re not alone, and you're not being scammed.
Insurance supplements are one of the most misunderstood parts of the insurance repair process, and they tend to cause confusion, frustration, and delays. However, at Elite Automotive Finishes, we believe in transparency, so let’s break down exactly what a collision repair supplement is, why it’s so common, and what it means for your timeline and repair cost.
What Is an Insurance Supplement?
A collision repair supplement is a request submitted by an auto body shop to the insurance company when additional damage or discrepancies are found after the initial estimate has been written.
In simpler terms: It’s a revision or update to the original repair plan, usually because something important was missed or couldn't be seen until after the vehicle was disassembled.
It’s not a mistake. It’s just the reality of how complex modern repairs can be.
Why Are Supplements So Common?
At Elite, over 90% of the claims we handle require a supplement. That’s not an exaggeration, it’s just how the system works. Here's why:
1. Initial Estimates Are Based on Photos
Insurance companies often write estimates based on photos, sometimes taken by the vehicle owner, sometimes by an adjuster doing a quick walkaround. These are meant to get the claim started quickly, not provide a full picture of the damage. Insurance carriers know from the beginning that a supplement is likely coming.
2. You Can’t See Everything Until Teardown
Unless the vehicle was towed in and undrivable, most initial estimates are written without disassembling the car. That means internal damage (behind bumpers, under panels, around the frame) goes unnoticed. Once we begin teardown in the shop, we often find broken brackets, damaged supports, or misaligned components that must be added to the estimate through a supplement.
3. Mistakes Happen
Even on simple repairs, we’ve seen insurance adjusters enter the wrong parts, incorrect paint codes, or even use the wrong tax rates for Arizona. Adjusters are working fast, handling dozens of claims a day. At Elite, we take the time to thoroughly review every file, and if we catch something off, we submit a supplement to correct it.
Does a Supplement Affect the Cost?
Not for you—not if the repair is being covered by insurance.
When a collision repair near me is submitted, it’s an internal adjustment between us and the insurance company. It doesn’t mean your out-of-pocket cost is going up. It just means the insurance is approving more work or parts than originally anticipated.
If you're paying out of pocket, though, we’ll always contact you first to approve any changes before proceeding.
Will It Delay My Repair?
It can, but temporarily.
When a supplement is submitted, the shop must wait for the insurance company to review and approve the changes before we can move forward with certain repairs or parts orders. That waiting period can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the insurer’s response time.
At Elite, we do everything we can to speed up the process:
We document and photograph all findings
We send digital supplements directly to the insurance provider
We follow up promptly to push approvals through
Our goal is to minimize downtime and keep you updated every step of the way.
How Elite Automotive Handles Insurance Supplements
We know this part of the insurance repair process can be frustrating. That’s why we make it easy:
We handle all supplement submissions on your behalf
We communicate directly with your insurance adjuster
We keep you informed so you're never left in the dark
Final Thoughts: Supplements Are Normal, Not a Red Flag
Hearing that your car needs a supplement might sound like an unexpected twist, but it's one of the most common parts of the repair process. It doesn't mean something went wrong, it just means we're making sure everything is done right.
At Elite Automotive Finishes, we believe in being thorough, honest, and professional. Whether we’re providing auto collision repair Mesa AZ or restoring a vehicle with frame damage, we advocate for your vehicle’s safety and your peace of mind—not the insurance company’s bottom line.