Commercial Truck and Fleet Repair: Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a commercial vehicle that needs collision or body repair, you probably have questions. Here are honest answers to the ones we hear most often.

Shop capabilities

Do you work on semi trucks and Class 7-8 commercial vehicles?

Yes. Heavy-duty semi trucks and Class 7-8 vehicles are the core of what we do at Airlake. Our 21,000-square-foot facility in Farmington, MN is set up specifically for commercial and heavy-duty repair. This is not a passenger car shop that takes the occasional truck.

Yes. Our facility is built to handle semi tractors and large commercial vehicles. You won’t have trouble getting a Class 8 truck in and out of our shop.

We work on all major commercial truck brands, including Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, International, Volvo, Mack, and others. If you’re not sure whether your truck fits, call us and we’ll tell you.

We repair truck tractors and cabs only. We do not handle trailer body repair. If your trailer needs work, we can point you in the right direction.

It depends on the extent of the damage. Call us and describe what happened. We’ll tell you honestly whether this is a repair we can take on and what the process would look like.

Yes. Airlake is a commercial-only facility, which means our technicians do this work every day. They’re not splitting time between passenger vehicles and the occasional semi. Commercial and heavy-duty repair is the entire focus.

Insurance and claims

Do you work directly with commercial truck insurance companies?

Yes. We assist with the commercial vehicle side of insurance claims and coordinate repair documentation as needed. We work with all insurance companies. If you have any questions, call us, and we’ll walk you through how that process works.

You have the right to choose your own repair facility. Your insurer may suggest preferred shops, but they cannot legally require you to use one. Bring your vehicle to the shop you trust to handle the repair correctly.

This happens. If we find damage that wasn’t included in the original estimate, we document it and work with the insurance company to get the claim updated. We don’t absorb costs that should be covered, and we don’t cut corners to fit a low estimate.
Make sure everyone involved is safe first, then contact your insurance carrier to report the incident. After that, call us. We can help you understand the repair side of the process and what to expect from there.
At minimum: photos of all vehicles involved and the damage, the other party’s insurance information, contact information for any witnesses, the police report number if law enforcement responds, and the location and conditions at the time of the incident. The more documentation you have, the smoother the claim process goes.
Not always, but it helps. Most carriers recommend getting a police report any time there’s significant damage, injury, or a dispute about what happened. When in doubt, request one at the scene.
It depends on your policy. We prioritize OEM parts whenever possible because they’re built to the manufacturer’s specifications and maintain the vehicle’s original integrity. If your policy covers aftermarket parts only, we’ll have that conversation with you before the work begins so there are no surprises.

Turnaround Time and The Repair Process

How long does a commercial truck collision repair typically take?

There’s no honest one-size answer. Repair time depends on the extent of the damage, parts availability, and what the repair requires. What we can tell you is that we move trucks through as efficiently as the job allows. We don’t drag out repairs, and we don’t rush work that needs more time. We’ll give you a realistic picture after we assess the damage.
We wait for the right parts unless we can source a qualified alternative. We won’t install the wrong part to speed up the job. If there’s a delay, we’ll let you know and explain the options.

Yes. If your truck is coming off the road and needs to come in, call us. We’ll work with you on getting it in as quickly as possible.

We keep you updated throughout the process. You won’t have to call repeatedly to find out where things stand. If something changes or we find additional damage, we’ll contact you before proceeding.
Once the truck arrives, we assess the damage and document it thoroughly. We write a complete repair plan and get it authorized before any work begins. The vehicle goes through body repair, paint, and final inspection. We communicate with you throughout. When the truck is ready, we review the completed work with you before you take it back.
Make sure the scene is safe and get medical help if anyone is injured. Document everything you can: photos, driver and witness contact information, insurance details, and a police report if possible. Notify your carrier. Then call us. The faster we can assess the damage, the faster we can get the repair started.

Fleet accounts

Do you work with fleet accounts?

Yes. We serve commercial fleet operators, trucking companies, and businesses that need a consistent repair partner for multiple vehicles. There’s no minimum fleet size. If you run commercial vehicles and need reliable repair, call us.
Yes. We work across all major commercial truck brands and vehicle types, so your fleet doesn’t have to be uniform for us to be your repair facility.
Yes. We work directly with insurance adjusters and handle the documentation on our end so your team isn’t managing the claim paperwork manually. We’ll walk you through what we need from you to get started.

Paint, Parts, and Warranty

Can you match our fleet's paint color exactly?

Yes. We use PPG fleet paint systems built for commercial vehicles. We match colors carefully, blend where needed, and finish the surface so the repaired area looks right next to the original paint. If your fleet has a specific livery or logo graphics, call us to discuss what that involves.
We prioritize OEM parts. They’re built to the manufacturer’s specifications and are the right choice for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the vehicle. When OEM isn’t available or isn’t covered by the claim, we’ll discuss the options with you before proceeding.
We back our repair work and paint with a limited lifetime warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. Parts are covered according to the applicable manufacturer warranty. If you have a question about a specific repair, ask us before the work begins.
Commercial vehicles require paint systems built for the conditions they operate in. We use PPG fleet paint systems specifically designed for trucks and commercial vehicles. The process accounts for the scale of the vehicle, the type of surface, and the durability requirements of a working truck.

Location and Logistics

Where is Airlake Collision Center 1 located?

We’re at 22096 Canton Cir, Farmington, MN 55024, in the Airlake Industrial Park. We’re on the I-35 corridor in the south metro. Call us at (952) 985-5567 or request an estimate through our website.

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. We’re closed on weekends. For emergency situations outside those hours, call us and we’ll do our best to help.
Yes. In most cases we can help get a tow arranged. Call us and we’ll work through the logistics with you.
Yes. The facility is set up for commercial vehicles. Getting a Class 8 truck in and out is not a problem.

Still have questions?

Call us or request an estimate. We’ll answer your questions directly and let you know exactly what the repair involves before any work begins.