Rochester Collision Center
Collision repairin Rochester, MN
Back to pre-accident condition, and back on the road driving the way it did before. All makes and models, every insurance company, and a seven stage process built to catch problems before they cost you time.
- All makes and models
- All insurance companies
- Free estimates
- Lifetime repair guarantee
Why bring it here
Looking new is half the job
Anyone can make a panel look right. The harder part is making sure the vehicle drives the way it did before, with its structure and safety systems performing as designed. That takes measuring equipment, manufacturer repair procedures, and a process that finds hidden damage early instead of halfway through.
Much of the equipment we use is closely related to what was used to build your vehicle in the first place. See our collision technologies page for the specifics on frame alignment and welding.
Our team
Veterans and tech savvy youth, on the same floor
Collision repair information changes constantly as manufacturers introduce new materials and procedures. A shop needs people who have seen everything and people who keep up with what changed last quarter. We have both.
300+
Years of combined experience
Across our collision team, covering everything from door dings to full structural replacement.
32
Average technician age
Well below the industry norm, which keeps us current on new materials and repair procedures rather than set in older methods.
10+
Insurance companies
Major insurers that have selected us as a Direct Repair Facility for their customers.
The process
Seven stages, with inspections in between
Collision repair is a sequence, and most of the delays customers experience come from skipping ahead in it. Here is how a vehicle moves through our shop.
Disassembly
Technicians remove all of the damaged parts so we can see what is underneath. Almost every collision hides damage that is invisible with the panels still on.
Why it matters: a complete repair plan and parts list built up front is what prevents surprises and delays later.
Parts mirror match
Every new part comes out of its packaging and gets compared side by side against the damaged part it replaces, before anything is installed.
Why it matters: a wrong or mislabeled part discovered mid repair stops the job cold. Catching it at the cart costs minutes instead of days.
Body work
Sheet metal and structural repair or replacement. Technicians repair, install, and pre-fit every part the vehicle needs before it goes to paint, following the manufacturer's recommendations for that model.
Paint
Refinish technicians prepare the panels, then apply color and clear coat in heated, full downdraft, climate controlled booths so the finish cures correctly and lasts.
More on color matching and refinish products on our auto body paint page.
Reassembly
Freshly painted panels and components go back on the vehicle, returning it to pre-accident condition.
Final quality control
Inspections happen between every stage, but the in depth check comes near the end. A dedicated technician works through the estimate of record line by line to confirm every operation was completed properly.
Why it matters: one person whose only job is verification catches what the people doing the work are least likely to notice.
Detail
The vehicle is detailed inside and out before you see it. The goal is for it to look better than it did the day the damage happened.
Paying for the repair
Through insurance or out of pocket
You choose the shop
Minnesota law gives you the right to decide where your vehicle is repaired. Your insurer can suggest a shop, but the decision belongs to you.
Every major insurer
We work with all insurance companies and are a Direct Repair Facility for more than ten of them, so their claims process is routine for us.
Paying yourself
Plenty of customers skip the claim, especially when the repair may cost less than the deductible. We will give you a written estimate either way.
For statute citations and the full claims process, see our insurance and your rights page.
Service area
Southeast Minnesota and beyond
Most of our customers are from Rochester and the surrounding communities, though people regularly drive in from further out when they want a specific shop doing the work.
- Rochester
- Owatonna
- Mankato
- Austin
- Albert Lea
- Winona
- Red Wing
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
Start before you drive over
Send photos of the damage and we can begin building the estimate ahead of your visit.
Two locations
Where to bring it
Both shops handle full collision repair on all makes and models. Pick whichever is closer.
North Rochester
Rochester Collision Center
2828 Pennington Ct NW
Rochester, MN 55901
507-288-3828
Mon to Fri, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
South Rochester
Rochester Collision Center South
1000 12th St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507-285-4790
Mon to Fri, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Common questions
Collision repair, answered
How long will my repair take?
It depends on parts availability, how extensive the damage is, insurance approval timing, and what turns up during disassembly. Your estimator gives you a timeline once the repair plan is built, which is exactly why disassembly comes first.
What is hidden damage, and why does it change my estimate?
Damage behind the panels that nobody can see until the vehicle is apart. When we find it, we document it and submit a supplement to your insurer. It is normal on most collision repairs and it is the reason the initial estimate is a starting point rather than a final number.
Will my vehicle drive the same afterward?
That is the objective of a structural repair. Alignment is measured against factory specification rather than judged by eye, and welding follows the manufacturer's method for the materials involved.
Do you repair vehicles you didn't sell?
Yes. Both locations repair all major makes and models regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
Do I get a rental while it's in the shop?
We keep a fleet of more than 15 late model, low mileage rentals on site. Check whether your policy includes rental coverage, and we also run shuttles anywhere within Rochester city limits.
Is the repair guaranteed?
Yes, for as long as you own the vehicle.
Smaller damage? See paintless dent repair for dents where the paint is intact, or hail damage repair for storm damage. The Rochester Collision Center overview has the full service list.
Back to pre-accident condition. Or better.
Free estimates at both Rochester locations, on all makes and models, with a lifetime guarantee on our repairs.
Call 507-288-3828 Schedule online