JMar Journal

Advice From The Shop

Straight answers about collision repair, insurance, paint, and keeping your car right, written by the people who actually do the work.

June 28, 2026·8 min read

Diminished Value in Florida: Why Your Repaired Car Is Worth Less, and How To Claim the Difference

Even a flawless repair leaves your car worth less on paper, and that lost value is real money. Here is how diminished value claims work in Florida and how to prove yours.

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June 26, 2026·7 min read

What To Do After a Car Accident in Orlando: A Step-by-Step Guide

A plain-spoken walkthrough of exactly what to do after a wreck in Orlando, from the first 60 seconds on the roadside to the calls you make that night.

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June 23, 2026·7 min read

Can I Choose My Own Body Shop in Florida? Yes, and Here's Why

Your insurer may push you toward their preferred shop, but Florida law says the choice is yours. Here's how steering works and how to say no without a fight.

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June 19, 2026·7 min read

How Long Does Collision Repair Really Take? An Honest Answer From Our Orlando Shop

Real timelines from an Orlando body shop. We break down what actually controls how long your collision repair takes, from a two-day bumper to a six-week rebuild.

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June 15, 2026·7 min read

Will My Car Paint Match After a Repair? How Color Matching Really Works

Paint codes get a shop close, but Florida sun and faded factory paint make matching tricky. Here's how it actually works, plus how to check the job yourself in the parking lot.

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June 10, 2026·6 min read

Paintless Dent Repair or Real Bodywork? How to Tell What Your Car Needs

Door dings, hail, and creases all behave differently. Here's a plain look at when paintless dent repair actually works, and when your car needs real bodywork instead.

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June 5, 2026·7 min read

Hail and Storm Damage in Central Florida: What It Does to Your Car and What to Do Next

Central Florida storms can pepper a car with dents in ten minutes. Here's what hail actually does, how insurance handles it, and why getting eyes on the damage early protects you.

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June 24, 2026·7 min read

What Is ADAS Calibration, and Why Your Car Needs It After a Wreck

Your car is full of cameras and radar that watch the road for you. After a wreck, those eyes need to be re-aimed. Here's what ADAS calibration is and why skipping it is a real problem.

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June 22, 2026·7 min read

OEM vs Aftermarket vs Used Parts on a Florida Insurance Repair

An Orlando shop breaks down OEM, aftermarket, and used parts on an insurance repair: the real differences in fit and safety, why insurers push the cheaper ones, and how to ask for original parts.

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June 20, 2026·7 min read

How Florida Decides If Your Car Is a Total Loss (the 80% Rule), and What You Can Do About It

Florida uses an 80 percent rule to call a car totaled, and it is stricter than most people think. Here is the real math, what it means for your check, and how to fight it or keep the car.

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June 18, 2026·7 min read

How To Read a Collision Repair Estimate (and Spot a Thin One)

That estimate the adjuster handed you is full of codes and abbreviations nobody explained. Here's how to read it line by line and spot the thin one before your car pays for it.

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June 16, 2026·5 min read

Getting a Rental Car While Your Car Is Repaired in Orlando: Who Pays and How Long You Get It

Your car's in the shop and you still have to get to work. Here's who actually pays for the rental in Orlando, how long the coverage lasts, and how we help line it up.

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