Collision Repair for Longboat Key Residents

Longboat Key is about ten miles of barrier island between Anna Maria Island and St. Armands, with one main road running its full length. It's quiet, beautiful and well kept — and when your vehicle gets damaged, getting it to a full-service body shop means crossing a bridge one way or another. Firkins Collision Center makes that easy. We've served Manatee County and nearby communities for more than 20 years, and Longboat Key residents get complimentary pickup and delivery, free loaner vehicles and 24/7 towing to our shop at 2700 1st St in Bradenton.

Two Counties, One Key

Longboat Key is divided by the county line: the north end is in Manatee County, while the larger southern portion is in Sarasota County. Wherever your home, condo or club sits on the key, we're glad to serve you. Insurance claims, estimates and pickups work the same on either side of the line.

Driving on Longboat Key

Gulf of Mexico Drive (SR-789)

Almost everything on Longboat Key happens along Gulf of Mexico Drive. It's a scenic road with a lower speed limit, but it still sees its share of crashes: drivers turning into and out of condo entrances and clubs, cyclists and pedestrians on the multi-use path, landscaping and service trucks, and visitors unsure of where they're going. Turning movements at the many driveways can lead to angle collisions and fender benders.

Seasonal traffic

From roughly January through April, the key's population swells with seasonal residents and visitors. More cars on a single main road means slower traffic and more parking lot bumps at shopping areas like Whitney Beach Plaza and Avenue of the Flowers. Small dents with unbroken paint are often a fit for paintless dent repair.

The bridges

Two bridges connect the key to the rest of the area:

• Longboat Pass Bridge on the north end connects to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. It's a drawbridge, so boat openings can briefly stop traffic.
• New Pass Bridge on the south end connects to Lido Key and St. Armands Circle in Sarasota.

Sudden stops at bridge openings and backups heading toward St. Armands are common causes of rear-end collisions.

Salt, sun and surge

Living on a barrier island exposes vehicles to constant salt air, intense UV and the threat of storm surge. Salt can attack paint and exposed metal once the clear coat is broken, and surge water can severely damage electrical systems. Read our guide on salt air and sun damage and see our storm and flood damage service if your vehicle took on water.

Routes From Longboat Key to Our Shop

Starting point	Route to 2700 1st St, Bradenton
North end (Manatee County side)	North on Gulf of Mexico Dr over the Longboat Pass Bridge, through Bradenton Beach to Cortez Rd, east to US-41, then north on 1st Street.
Mid-key	Same northern route over the Longboat Pass Bridge and east on Cortez Rd.
South end (near New Pass)	Either the northern route, or over the New Pass Bridge to St. Armands Circle, across the John Ringling Causeway, then north on US-41 into Bradenton.

Travel time depends heavily on the season, bridge openings and the ongoing Cortez Bridge replacement work, so plan for some variability. For most Longboat Key customers, a scheduled pickup is the simplest option.

Repairs for the Vehicles Longboat Key Drives

We repair all makes and models — luxury sedans, SUVs, convertibles, trucks and everyday commuters. Our facility includes:

• A dedicated paint booth and waterborne paint system for accurate color matching — see auto painting
• Frame machines and computer-assisted measuring for structural repairs
• I-CAR- and ASE-certified technicians with ongoing training
• OEM parts whenever possible, which we explain in OEM vs. aftermarket parts
• Detailing and paint protection to help finishes hold up to island conditions — see detailing and paint protection

Every repair is backed by our lifetime warranty on parts and labor.

A Hands-Off Process for Part-Time and Full-Time Residents

Many Longboat Key homeowners split their year between the key and somewhere else, and some are only here for a few months. We've set up our process so you don't have to be standing in our lobby for every step:

• Pickup from your home, condo or club and return delivery when the work is done.
• Free upfront estimate, followed by disassembly and inspection so the repair plan reflects everything we find.
• Direct coordination with your insurer, including out-of-state carriers.
• Progress updates by phone throughout the repair.
• Secure overnight vehicle storage at our facility while your vehicle is with us.

If you're leaving for the season soon after a fender bender, call us early so the repair can be planned around your schedule. And if your vehicle will sit unused while you're away, it's smart to get damaged paint fixed first — exposed metal in island air doesn't stay rust-free for long. For tips on keeping your finish in good shape, see protecting new paint in the Florida sun.

Advanced Safety Features

Many vehicles on the key have radar, cameras and parking sensors that may need to be checked or recalibrated after a collision. Ask your estimator how your vehicle's systems will be verified. Our blog explains more about ADAS sensors after a collision.

Insurance and Your Choice of Shop

We work with all insurance companies and help with claim paperwork, including for seasonal residents with out-of-state policies. In Florida you generally have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired — read more about your right to choose a body shop.

Arrange Pickup or a Free Estimate

Request a free estimate or call (941) 229-6451 to schedule pickup from Longboat Key. If your vehicle isn't drivable, our 24-hour towing line is (941) 749-1450. Hablamos español: (941) 357-5162. Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–5:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM.