For a FREE quote and assessment, call 03 377 1106
243 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about our accident repair and panel and paint services.

About Specialised

Who are Specialised Panel & Paint?

Specialised Panel & Paint is an insurance-approved accident repairer and specialist spray painting workshop based in Central Christchurch. We provide high-quality panel and paint services for customers throughout Christchurch and Canterbury.

Where in Christchurch is Specialised Panel & Paint located?

Specialised Panel & Paint is located at 243 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central.

How long has Specialised been operating?

Specialised Panel & Paint has been operating since 1990, and has been at its present site on Lichfield Street, Christchurch, since 2005.

What services do you provide?

We provide a comprehensive range of panel and paint and associated automotive services, including:
-Accident repairs of all sizes
-Rust repairs
-Restorations
-Sandblasting
-Underbody painting
-Vehicle fleet accident repairs
For the full range, see our Services page.

Do you only work with cars, or do you repair other vehicles too?

We don’t just work on cars, we also provide computer colour-matched spray painting on a range of other items such as heat pumps. Call us to see if we can help.

Why choose Specialised Panel & Paint over other panel beaters in Christchurch?

There are many reasons to choose Specialised Panel & Paint. We have a large fleet of free loan cars, a handy location in Christchurch Central, very high standards, excellent customer service, knowledgeable and experienced staff, on-site assessments, and we’re part of Right to Drive, which gives you a like-for-like loan car.

Insurance & Accreditation

Are you an insurance-approved repairer?

Yes, we are an insurance-approved repairer and can carry out accident repairs for all insurance companies.

Do you work with AMI Insurance claims?

Yes, we regularly work with AMI Insurance claims and can handle the repair process from start to finish.

Are you on the IAG approved repairers list?

Yes, we are on the IAG Approved Repairers list.

Can you repair my vehicle if I’m insured with a different provider?

Yes, we can repair your vehicle no matter which insurance company you are with.

Can I choose Specialised Panel & Paint even if my insurer suggests another repairer?

Yes, you can choose Specialised Panel & Paint even if your insurer suggests another repairer. Who repairs your car is entirely at your discretion.

Do you help with the insurance claim process?

You will need to complete the insurance claim yourself, but we’re happy to help guide you through the claim process if you need assistance.

Do I need to contact my insurer before bringing my car to you?

No, you don’t need to contact your insurer before bringing your car to us. We can help advise you once the vehicle is here.

Panel Beating & Paint Services

What types of damage can you repair?

We can repair all types of car accidents and collision damage. That includes structural damage, small dings and dents, full or partial spray painting, restorations, rust removal, and repair certifications.

Do you fix both minor dents and major collision damage?

Yes, we can repair all accidents and collision damage from small carpark dents to major accidents.

Do you provide spray painting and refinishing?

Yes, we provide full spray painting and refinishing services in Christchurch.

Can you match my car’s paint colour?

Yes, we can colour-match your car’s paint colour. We use computer colour-matching technology to ensure a perfect match to your existing paint colour.

Do you repair rust damage?

Yes, we repair small areas of minor rust damage.

Do you use genuine parts for repairs?

Whether we can use genuine parts for your accident repair depends on your insurance company’s policy. If you prefer genuine parts, this needs to be confirmed with your insurer. Unfortunately, it’s not within our control.

How do you ensure the quality of your paint finish?

To ensure a high-quality paint finish, we use advanced computer colour matching and Spies Hecker water-based paints, a world standard in automotive refinishing.

Do you provide structural repairs or chassis straightening?

Yes, we provide full structural repairs and chassis straightening. We work with qualified certifiers who sign off your structural repairs once they’re completed.

Can you repair plastic bumpers and panels?

Yes, we can repair plastic bumpers and panels.

Do you repair vehicles for local businesses or fleets?

Yes, we repair vehicles for many local businesses and fleets in Christchurch. Our central location makes us east and convenient for corporate customers.

Process & Timeframes

How do I book my car in for repair?

To book your vehicle in, call us on 03 377 1106, email us at admin@specialised.co.nz, or visit us at 243 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central.

What is your panel beating process?

Our panel beating process has eight steps designed to get you back on the road quickly. These include: Assessment, Claim Approval, Booking and Loan Car, Repair, Cleaning, and Return. Read the full process on our Process page.

How long does a typical repair take?

The time a repair takes depends on the extent of the damage to your car and whether or not we need to wait for parts. A small supermarket carpark ding can take as little as three days, and a big accident repair could take up to a month.

Do you provide a repair estimate before starting?

Yes, we always provide a repair estimate before starting work. This is also required by insurance companies for claim approval.

What happens if extra damage is found after work begins?

It’s unlikely that we will find extra damage, but if we do, we will let you know and get authorisation from your insurance company before we go ahead with any extra work.

Do you provide a warranty on your repairs?

Yes, all repairs come with a warranty on workmanship.

Will my vehicle be safe to drive immediately after repair?

Yes, your car will be safe to drive once all repairs are completed and signed off.

Loan Cars & Customer Care

Do you provide loan cars while my vehicle is being repaired?

Yes, we have a fleet of free loan cars available for our customers while their vehicles are being repaired.

Is there a cost for using a loan car?

No, there is no cost to use one of our loan cars. However, they are supplied with a full tank of of petrol and must be returned full or there will be a filling charge.

What happens if no loan car is available?

This is generally not an issue, but if no loan car is immediately available, we might need to delay your repair booking very slightly.

Do I need to refill the fuel in the loan car?

Yes, the loan car must be returned with a full tank of fuel.

Do you clean my car before returning it?

Yes, we clean your car before returning it to a level appropriate to the damage repair we’ve undertaken.

Quality & Trust

What makes Specialised different from other Christchurch panel beaters?

The key things that make Specialised Panel and Paint different from other Christchurch panel beaters is our total dedication to the quality of our work, highly experienced team, and the extremely comprehensive range of automotive repair and specialised painting services we offer in Christchurch.

Are your technicians qualified and certified?

Yes, all our technicians are I-CAR qualified and trained to the latest standards.

What paint systems and technology do you use?

We use Spies Hecker water-based paints, a world-leading paint system known for its durability and finish.

Do you follow New Zealand safety and repair standards?

Yes, we follow all New Zealand safety and repair standards as the minimum requirement for every job.

Do you provide free quotes?

Yes, we provide free quotes for accident and collision repairs. To arrange a quote, call us on 03 377 1106, email admin@specialised.co.nz, or visit us at 243 Lichfield Street, Christchurch.

Additional Questions

Can you restore classic or vintage cars?

Yes, we restore classic and vintage cars, bringing older vehicles back to life with quality panel and paint work.

Do you repair electric or hybrid vehicles?

Yes, we repair electric and hybrid vehicles in Christchurch.

Can I drop off my car after hours?

No, we do not currently offer after-hours drop-off.

Do you provide pickup and delivery of vehicles?

Yes, we provide pickup and delivery of vehicles within Christchurch.

How do I contact Specialised Panel & Paint?

You can contact us by calling 03 377 1106, emailing admin@specialised.co.nz, or visiting us at 243 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central.