What to Do If Your Car Is Not Fixed Properly After an Insurance Claim

Last Updated on December 31, 2025

After a crash, you expect repairs to bring your vehicle back to normal. In many cases, that’s what happens. But sometimes a car comes back with paint issues, alignment problems, warning lights, or repairs that simply don’t match what was promised.

If your car isn’t fixed properly after an insurance claim, you have options. The key is to act quickly, document everything, and use the right escalation steps so the insurer and/or body shop finishes the job.

Key Takeaways

• If your car isn’t repaired correctly after a claim, document the issues immediately (photos, video, warning lights, and a written symptom list).
• Start with the repair shop and your insurance adjuster—many problems are resolved through a reinspection and a repair “supplement.”
• Using an insurer-preferred shop may come with a workmanship guarantee, but you can still pursue corrections even if you chose your own shop.
• If the insurer or shop refuses to fix legitimate issues, escalate in writing, get a second opinion, and consider complaints or legal help for major disputes.

Your Insurer Must Repair Your Vehicle to Pre-Loss Condition

Car insurance is a contract. You pay premiums, and in return the insurer agrees to pay for covered losses according to your policy terms.

For repairable claims, the goal is generally to restore the vehicle to pre-loss condition—meaning it should look, drive, and function substantially the way it did before the accident (within the limits of your policy and state rules).

If the repairs were incomplete, unsafe, or clearly below standard, don’t ignore it. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to prove the problem came from the accident or the repair process.

Common Signs Your Car Wasn’t Repaired Correctly

Some repair problems are obvious immediately, while others show up after a few days of driving. Watch for:

• Panel gaps, misaligned doors/hood/trunk, or uneven trim
• Paint mismatch, overspray, peeling clear coat, or visible blending lines
• New warning lights (airbag/SRS, ABS, traction control, check engine)
• Steering pull, vibration, or uneven braking after suspension/body work
• Wind noise or water leaks (often after glass, door, or structural repairs)
• Missing repairs you expected—like dents, scratches, or obvious cosmetic issues that are still there
• ADAS issues (lane assist, adaptive cruise, automatic braking) that feel “off” after a front-end, windshield, or bumper repair

Safety first: If you suspect the car is unsafe to drive (brakes, steering, airbags, major vibration, severe pulling), don’t keep driving it “to see if it gets better.” Park it and call the shop/adjuster.

The First Steps

If you’re not satisfied with the repairs, use this simple sequence:

• Inspect and test drive the vehicle (and write down specific symptoms and when they happen)
• Take photos and video of anything visible (panel gaps, paint issues, leaks, warning lights)
• Contact the repair shop and request a recheck
• Contact your adjuster and explain what’s wrong

If you’re unsure who controls what, it helps to understand what auto insurance claims adjusters do. In most claims, the adjuster is the person who can authorize additional inspection time, supplements, and (when justified) additional repair payments.

Contact Your Adjuster

Start with your adjuster, even if the shop is the one that did the work. Explain the issue clearly and ask for next steps in writing (email is ideal). Provide photos, your repair invoice, and a short list of what still isn’t right.

If the problem is obvious (for example, a part that was supposed to be replaced wasn’t, a warning light is now on, or the paint finish is clearly wrong), many adjusters will authorize a re-inspection and a “supplement” to address additional repairs.

Authorized Repair Shops Versus Other Repair Shops

When you file a claim, your insurer may recommend (or promote) certain shops in a direct repair program (DRP). You generally don’t have to use them—here’s more on whether an auto insurer can make you use a certain body shop.

Where you repaired your car can affect how the repair is handled:

• If you used an insurer-preferred shop: There’s often a repair warranty/guarantee involved, and the insurer may be more hands-on about ensuring the work is corrected.
• If you used a shop you chose: You can still pursue corrections, but the process may lean more heavily on the shop’s workmanship warranty and a re-inspection/supplement through the insurer.

Either way, the goal is the same: identify what’s wrong, document it, and get the repairs completed properly.

How to Check Your Vehicle for Improper Repairs

Before you escalate, do a careful check so you can describe the problem precisely. Focus on three areas:

1) Visual inspection: Check paint match in sunlight, look for overspray, confirm body lines and gaps, and verify all replaced parts look properly fitted.

2) Sounds and leaks: Listen for rattles, wind noise, or grinding that wasn’t there before. Check for water intrusion after a rain or car wash if glass/doors were involved.

3) How it drives: Pay attention to steering, braking, vibration, and handling. If anything feels unsafe, stop driving and report it immediately.

What to Do If Accident Damage Wasn’t Properly Repaired

If the shop agrees something is wrong, they may correct it quickly. If there’s disagreement, move step-by-step:

1) Ask the Shop to Reinspect and Put the Plan in Writing

Ask the shop to walk you through what they believe is happening and what they will do to fix it. Request the plan in writing, including any parts they intend to replace and whether additional paint/blending is required.

2) Request a Post-Repair Inspection and a Supplement

A post-repair inspection (either by the shop, the insurer, or an independent third party) can document what wasn’t repaired correctly and what’s needed to finish the job. If additional damage is discovered during a “tear-down,” the shop can submit a supplement for the adjuster to review and approve.

This is especially important for alignment/suspension issues, hidden structural damage, or sensor/calibration concerns that don’t show up in photos.

3) Get a Second Opinion (If Needed)

If you’re stuck, take the car to another reputable shop for a written assessment. A short, professional write-up can be helpful when you go back to the original shop or the insurer to show what’s wrong and why it matters.

If the Insurer Pushes Back on Cost, Parts, or Procedures

Disputes often come down to what parts are used (OEM vs. aftermarket/recycled), what procedures are included (blending paint, scans/calibrations), and whether the insurer considers the added work “necessary.”

If you believe corners were cut, ask the shop for documentation that supports the needed repair steps (manufacturer procedures, diagnostic results, alignment readings, calibration requirements, and photos). The more specific the documentation, the easier it is for an adjuster to approve corrections.

Other Ways to Challenge an Insurance Claim

If you’ve tried the reasonable steps above and you’re still not getting results, escalate in a controlled way:

• Ask for a supervisor review with the claims department and keep everything in writing.
• File a complaint with your state’s Department of Insurance (and, where applicable, the state auto repair regulator). Here’s where to start: where to make a complaint about your auto insurance company.
• Consider legal help for high-dollar disputes (especially if liability is contested or the insurer is refusing reasonable repair steps). Learn when it makes sense to hire an auto insurance lawyer.

For large disagreements about the amount owed, some policies also include an “appraisal” process to resolve disputes over repair/valuation. Check your policy language or ask your adjuster whether appraisal applies to your situation.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Don’t wait weeks to report issues—raise concerns as soon as you notice them.
• Don’t accept vague answers like “that’s normal” without an explanation you can verify.
• Don’t cancel your policy or stop paying premiums during the dispute.
• Don’t keep driving an unsafe vehicle if you suspect steering/brake/airbag issues.

FAQs on What to Do If Your Car Isn’t Fixed Properly After an Insurance Claim

Final Word: How to Make Sure Your Car Is Fixed Properly

If your car isn’t fixed properly after a claim, you’re not stuck. Document the problems, contact the shop and your adjuster, request a reinspection/supplement, and get a second opinion when needed. If you still can’t get repairs completed correctly, escalate through complaints or legal support for major disputes.

The goal is simple: a vehicle that looks right, drives right, and is safe—without you having to pay out-of-pocket for legitimate accident-related repairs.