USAA Claims & Body Shop Repairs in Bradenton

Bradenton and Manatee County are home to many active-duty service members, veterans and military families, and plenty of them insure with USAA. If you're a USAA member who needs collision repair, or you were hit by a USAA-insured driver, Firkins Collision Center can repair your vehicle and help keep the claim moving. Here's how the USAA auto claim process generally works and how we fit in.

Firkins is independent and does not claim to be part of any USAA program. We work with all insurance companies and help customers with the claim paperwork.

How a USAA Auto Claim Generally Works

USAA publishes a step-by-step claims process. In general terms:

1. Report the claim

USAA directs members to report through My Claims Center on usaa.com or in the USAA Mobile App. USAA lists 800-531-8722 as a general contact number. Have the date, location, a description, photos, and the other driver's information ready. Our guide on what to do after a car accident in Bradenton covers what to collect.

2. Investigation

USAA says it typically determines who is responsible within about 14 days, then lets you know what it needs from you. You can track status and contact your adjuster in My Claims Center.

3. Estimate and inspection

USAA describes scheduling a vehicle inspection through My Claims Center and notes it may take up to 7 business days to get and review the estimate. If you choose Firkins, tell your adjuster so they can coordinate with us.

4. Repair

USAA says you can use any shop, and it covers reasonable repair costs. USAA also offers its STARS program, in which payment goes directly to the shop, you pay only your deductible, and the shop provides a lifetime warranty.

5. Rental

USAA says members can reserve a rental through My Claims Center when they report the claim, within policy limits. If you need it longer than your coverage allows, extensions are possible, but you pay charges beyond the policy limits.

Your Florida Rights

Being a USAA member doesn't change the Florida protections that apply to every driver:

• An insurer may not require replacement parts that are not at least equivalent in kind and quality to the damaged parts, under s. 626.9743, Florida Statutes.
• If an insurer specifically requires a particular repair shop, it must make sure the vehicle is restored to pre-loss condition at no additional cost beyond what your policy states.
• You're entitled to a copy of the written estimate behind a partial-loss settlement.
• Florida's Motor Vehicle Repair Act (s. 559.905) gives you written estimate rights on repairs over $150.

Learn more on our right to choose a body shop in Florida page.

Which Coverage Applies?

Scenario	Typical coverage
Another driver caused the crash	Their property damage liability (you're a third-party claimant)
You caused the crash and carry USAA collision	Your collision coverage, minus your deductible
Uninsured or hit-and-run driver	Your collision coverage, if you have it
Hail, flood or storm debris	Your comprehensive coverage, if you have it

Every policy differs, so confirm with your adjuster. Storm damage is common on the Gulf Coast; see storm and flood damage repair for more.

Questions to Ask Your USAA Adjuster

• Can you schedule the inspection at Firkins, or will you work from our estimate and photos?
• Who will the payment go to, and is my lender included?
• What are my rental limits per day and in total?
• How should supplements for hidden damage be submitted?

How Firkins Helps USAA Members

When you choose Firkins Collision Center, here's what we do:

1. Free upfront estimate at our facility at 2700 1st St, Bradenton.
2. Disassembly and inspection to find hidden damage early and build a complete repair plan.
3. Communication with USAA, including photos and supplements when more damage turns up.
4. OEM parts whenever possible. Our on-site Mopar parts department helps with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram repairs. Read about OEM vs aftermarket parts.
5. Structural repair using frame machines and computer-assisted measuring.
6. Color-matched paint in our dedicated paint booth with a waterborne system.
7. Final inspection and road test, then pickup.

You'll receive progress updates throughout. See the details on our process page.

Help while you're without your vehicle

We offer free loaner vehicles or help arranging a rental, shuttle service, and complimentary pickup and delivery. Need a tow? Our 24-hour towing line is (941) 749-1450. Learn more on our 24-hour towing page.

Lifetime warranty

Firkins backs its workmanship with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor.

Tips for Military Families and Busy Schedules

Deployments, training schedules and PCS moves don't pause for a fender bender. A few things can make the repair easier:

• Let us know your timeline. If you're leaving town or need the vehicle by a certain date, tell us at the estimate so we can talk through what's realistic. Minor repairs often take a few days; significant damage can take several weeks depending on parts.
• Use pickup and delivery. Our complimentary pickup and delivery can save a trip across town.
• Authorize a point of contact. If a spouse or family member will handle the repair while you're away, tell both USAA and us.
• Ask about secure storage. We offer secure overnight vehicle storage at our facility.

For more on timing, read how long collision repair takes.

Start Your USAA Repair at Firkins

Call (941) 229-6451 or request a free estimate. Hablamos español: (941) 357-5162. Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM to noon. For more paperwork support, visit our insurance claim help page.