YOUR CAR. DONE RIGHT.WE MAKE SURE OF IT.
Collision repair, paint work, and frame straightening — all done in-house, no outsourcing. We conduct a comprehensive inspection, document every finding, and fix it right using factory parts and proper procedures. Not cheaply. Right.
Thirteen Years on Berry Ave
Family owned since 2013
4.9 stars on Google
Collision · Paint · Frame · Glass · Towing · Restoration
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–3pm
ONE SHOP HANDLES EVERYTHING. ONE TEAM ANSWERS FOR IT.
Full-service auto body shop in Hayward, CA serving the East Bay. Every service is done by our own team, in our own shop — no subcontractors, no sending your car somewhere else, no surprises.
Collision Repair
Full structural and cosmetic repair after any collision — frame to paint, all done in-house. We assess every inch of the damage and restore the car to pre-accident condition. If it isn’t right, it doesn’t go out.
Paint Matching
Computerized paint matching reads your exact factory color code. Our goal: you shouldn’t be able to tell where the repair was done.
Frame Straightening
Precision laser-guided frame alignment restores proper frame geometry and structural integrity — measured to factory tolerances.
Dent Removal
From minor door dings to major panel dents — we reshape the metal correctly and match the paint to your factory color. Our goal is a repair you can’t find. If something’s off at pickup, it doesn’t leave until we’re satisfied — within the limits of your vehicle’s existing paint condition and material type.
Insurance Claims
We handle the paperwork, calls, and negotiations with your insurance company. You focus on your day — we fight for your car.
Auto Glass
As an authorized Glass Doctor location, we bring nationally backed auto glass expertise to every repair — windshield replacement, ADAS calibration, rear and side window replacement, chip repair, and mobile service. Every windshield replacement includes a free Windshield Protection Plan.
Authorized Glass Doctor Location →Towing
Stranded after an accident? We can help arrange towing to our shop — including through your insurance if your policy covers it. Call us and we will coordinate.
Classic Restoration
Got a 1968 Camaro or a classic truck that needs work? We've done it. Period-correct paint, careful body work, and the patience the job actually requires.
And we handle the insurance so you don’t have to. Here’s how.
DON’T LET THE INSURANCE COMPANY CHOOSE YOUR SHOP
You pay your deductible. We handle everything else — paperwork, adjuster calls, and supplements when we find more damage during the repair. We have worked claims with all major insurers in California and know exactly how each one operates.
California Insurance Code §9884.9protects your right to choose a quality repair shop instead of your insurer’s preferred vendor. Your insurer cannot steer you away from a licensed shop of your choosing. Final coverage depends on your specific policy — we can help you understand your options.
Insurance companies have preferred shops that prioritize speed and cost over quality. At 1st Place, we document everything thoroughly and push back on incomplete damage assessments — so the repair is done right, not to their minimum.
We work directly with all major insurance companies, handle supplements when additional damage is found, and ensure your car is repaired to proper safety standards.
Call us before the adjuster inspects your vehicle. We can walk you through what to document and what to expect from the inspection process.
Our team handles all paperwork, contacts your adjuster, and documents all damage with supplemental repair requests when needed.
Once approved, we begin using the proper parts and procedures — no shortcuts to satisfy insurance minimums.
We handle final billing directly with the insurer. You just pay your deductible. No surprise invoices for covered repairs.
ALL MAJOR INSURERS ACCEPTED
We work directly with all major insurance carriers operating in California.
Don’t see your insurer? Call us — we work with all companies.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT IN CALIFORNIA
Step by step — in the order that actually matters. Written for someone who just got in an accident and needs clear answers fast.
Car not driveable right now?
Call us now — we coordinate towing and handle everything from there. Your safety comes first.
General Information Only — Not Legal Advice
This guide provides general information about common steps after a California auto accident. It does not constitute legal, insurance, or financial advice for your specific situation. For advice specific to your accident or injury, consult a licensed California attorney.
Check for injuries and call 911 immediately.
Your safety and the safety of everyone involved comes before anything else. Even if the accident seems minor, adrenaline masks pain — injuries may not be obvious right away. If anyone is hurt, do not move them unless there is a fire or immediate danger.
Do not leave the scene — but moving to a safe spot is different from leaving.
Leaving the scene of an accident in California — even a minor one — is a crime. Stay until police arrive and give you permission to leave, or until you have exchanged all required information with the other driver.
Move vehicles out of traffic if it is safe to do so.
If the vehicles are driveable and no one is seriously injured, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Leaving them in the road causes additional accidents. Turn on hazard lights.
Call the police and file a report.
Even for minor accidents, a police report protects you. It is an official record of what happened, and your insurance company will want it. Get the officer's name and the report number before they leave.
Exchange information with every driver involved.
Collect: full name, phone number, driver's license number, license plate, insurance company and policy number, and vehicle make/model. If there are witnesses, get their contact information too.
Document everything with your phone.
Take photos of all vehicles from multiple angles, all damage (even minor scratches), the full scene, street signs and intersections, skid marks, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. More is always better — you cannot un-take a photo later.
Do not admit fault — and watch every word you say.
Do not say "I'm sorry," "I didn't see you," or "I'm fine." All of these can be used against you later. "I'm fine" in particular can undermine a legitimate injury claim. Let the police report and insurance investigation determine fault.
General guidance only — if injury or liability is involved, consult a California attorney before acting.
Do not post anything on social media.
Insurance companies and opposing attorneys monitor social media after accidents. A photo, a check-in, or even a vague status update can be used to dispute your account of what happened or the severity of your injuries.
If the other driver is uninsured, follow these steps.
Do not let them talk you out of calling the police. Get their name, plate, and any information they will give you. File a police report regardless. Contact your own insurer immediately — if you have Uninsured Motorist coverage, it applies here. This is why UM coverage exists.
Report the accident to your insurance company.
Most policies require prompt notification. Call and report the facts — what happened, where, when, who was involved. Do not speculate on fault. Avoid making binding decisions on the spot — review any settlement offer carefully and consult your attorney or insurer before signing anything.
General guidance only. If injury or liability is involved, consult a California attorney before acting.
Know your right to choose your own repair shop.
Under California Insurance Code §9884.9, an insurer may not require you to use a specific repair shop as a condition of coverage. You have the right to choose a licensed shop of your choosing — though your coverage terms may still affect reimbursement rates. Confirm with your insurer before beginning repairs.
Check your policy for rental car coverage.
Many policies include rental reimbursement coverage. If your car is not driveable, call your insurer and ask. If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance may also cover your rental. Do not assume you have to pay out of pocket.
Get a free professional damage assessment before signing anything.
Do not accept a settlement or sign any release until a qualified body shop has put your car on a lift. A preliminary assessment may not capture structural, frame, or electrical damage that only appears during a full inspection. Once you accept a settlement, you may lose the right to seek additional coverage. Call us at (510) 371-2125 — we provide free damage assessments and will document everything we find.
Call 1st Place Auto Collision for a free estimate.
We do this every day. Call us at (510) 371-2125 and we will take it from here — towing, insurance calls, supplements, all of it. Your job is to pick up your car when it is done.
This guide is general information only — not legal advice. Consult a California attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Ready for the next step? Here’s exactly how we handle the insurance side.
YOU DROP IT OFF. WE HANDLE EVERYTHING ELSE.
No mystery, no waiting in the dark. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you contact us to the moment you drive away.
Contact Us
Call or fill out the estimate form. We respond same-day, usually faster — and we walk you through exactly what to expect before you bring the car in.
Get Your Estimate
Bring your vehicle to 773 Berry Ave. We assess every inch of the damage — visible and hidden — and give you a written estimate with no surprises.
Insurance Handled
We call your adjuster, push back on lowball estimates, and go back to your insurer for more coverage if we find additional damage during the repair. You don’t need to fight that battle.
Repair Begins
Our experienced technicians restore your vehicle using original-spec parts and factory repair procedures. Our goal: a car that drives and feels the way it was designed to.
Quality Check
Before your car leaves our shop, we go over it ourselves. If anything's off — paint blend, panel fit, anything — it doesn't go out. We'd rather spend another hour than have you notice something we missed.
Pick Up Your Car
Your vehicle is restored, inspected, and ready. We walk you through the repair before you drive off — every time.
GETTING STARTED TAKES THREE MINUTES
Call or fill out the form. We respond same-day, usually faster. If your car isn’t driveable, we handle the tow.
Most repairs completed in 3–10 business days. We give you an honest timeline before we start.
Don’t take our word for it. Read what our customers say.
NO SURPRISES. NO SECOND SHOP. JUST YOUR CAR BACK RIGHT.
Thirteen years in Hayward. The same family. The same standards. Here is what that actually means for you.
1st Place has been at the same address on Berry Ave since 2013. Not a chain, not a franchise — the same family, the same team, doing the same work they’ve always done. Our Google reviews didn’t come from an ad campaign. They came from East Bay drivers who needed their car fixed right and found a shop that actually did it.
- Family-Owned & Operated Since 2013 — Same Team, Same Address
- All Insurance Companies Accepted — We Handle the Paperwork
- 4.9 Stars on Google — Verified East Bay Drivers
- Collision, Paint, Frame & Glass — All In-House, No Outsourcing
- Towing Coordination — We Arrange It, Including Through Your Insurance
- California Law Protects Your Right to Choose This Shop
- Written Limited Warranty on All Repair Work — Bring It Back If Something Isn’t Right
That’s who we are. Here’s how the repair actually works.
WHAT PROFESSIONAL COLLISION REPAIR LOOKS LIKE
Drag the slider to compare. These examples illustrate the standard of repair we hold every job to. Images are representative of typical repair quality and may not reflect specific vehicles repaired at this shop.
Drag or use arrow keys to compare · Photos shown are representative examples of work quality
READ WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.
You’re trusting us with something that gets you to work and takes your kids to school. These are the people who already made that decision.
All reviews are from real, uncompensated customers who posted on Google. We do not filter, incentivize, or select reviews. Comparative or superlative claims made by reviewers (such as “best in the Bay Area”) reflect their personal opinion and have not been independently verified. These represent a sample — view our complete listing on Google for all reviews.
“I took my Old School 1968 Camaro for a paint job and they totally EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS!!! Paint color came out superb and the attention to detail was EXCEPTIONAL!!! 5 STARS PLUS! Great customer care!”
Just had an accident? Here’s exactly what to do.
REPAIRED ON BERRY AVE
Our work, on our lift. Photos marked “Actual Work” are from our shop. Others are representative examples of the type of repairs we perform.
Every job in our portfolio left our shop better than it arrived. Yours will too.
BUILT HERE. STILL HERE.
Started on Berry Ave in 2013 with no investors and no corporate playbook. The same people who opened it are still running it. Their customers’ kids come in now.
The same people who opened in 2013 are still running every repair. When something goes wrong, you talk to the person who built the reputation — not a manager reading from a script.
The belief was simple: every person deserves their car restored properly after an accident — without being pressured by an insurer into a cheap fix, and without wondering whether the shop actually stands behind the work.
We run computer paint matching, laser frame alignment, and a team that has been doing this work for years. The right equipment matters — and so does having the same technicians on every job, not a rotating crew.
When you bring your car to 1st Place, you’re not a number in a queue — you’re a name on a car that we intend to hand back better than we received it.
Honesty
We tell you what we see — including damage that doesn't affect your estimate. No upselling, no hidden charges. The number on your estimate is the number on your invoice.
Quality
One standard: does it look and drive better than the way it did before the accident? If not, it stays on the lift.
Community
Rooted in Hayward since 2013. Proud to serve the East Bay community we call home.
Family
The same family that opened this shop in 2013 is still running it. We built this reputation over thirteen years — we're not going to risk it on your car.
THE SHOP YOUR NEIGHBOR RECOMMENDS
We’re at 773 Berry Ave in Hayward. Customers come to us from all over the East Bay — some because a neighbor referred them, some because they read our reviews. The work keeps them coming back.
Not on the list? Call us — we serve customers throughout the East Bay and South Bay.
QUESTIONS WE GET EVERY WEEK — ANSWERED STRAIGHT.
If it’s not here, call us — we answer the phone.
Yes. We document all damage, contact your adjuster directly, and file additional repair requests if we uncover more damage during the repair. You hand us your claim number and we handle the rest.
Something not covered here? Call (510) 371-2125 — we answer the phone.
GET YOUR FREE ESTIMATE
Submit during business hours and we typically respond within a few hours. After hours, we’ll call first thing when we open. Need to talk now? (510) 371-2125.
The assessment is free. Final repair pricing is determined after physical inspection of your vehicle.
We’re closed right now — but the form still works.
Leave your info and we’ll call you first thing when we open today at 9am. Need a tow before we open? Call (510) 371-2125 — our voicemail has towing referral info.
Call for Same-Day Response
(510) 371-2125| Monday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| SaturdayToday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
773 Berry Ave, Hayward CA 94544