Universal Automotive runs a secure impound and storage yard and a collision repair shop at the same address — so if your car is towed in damaged, it never has to leave to get fixed. We deal with your insurance company directly.
Two sides to what we do, at one address.
Your vehicle is in our yard and you want it back. Call us with the plate or VIN, we'll confirm it's here and tell you exactly what's owed before you make the trip.
How release works →Collision and body repair on site. We write the estimate, handle the adjuster, and bill your insurance company directly wherever they allow it.
Repair services →Three steps — most releases are done the same day you call.
Have your license plate or VIN ready. We'll confirm the vehicle is at our facility and give you the exact total owed — no surprises at the window.
Valid photo ID and proof of ownership (current registration or title). Sending someone on your behalf? They need a notarized authorization plus their own ID.
Settle the towing and storage fees and take your vehicle home. Storage charges accrue daily — the sooner you come, the less you pay.
What you owe is the towing charge plus storage for each day the vehicle has been in the yard. Call us with your plate or VIN and we'll give you the exact itemized total before you come in.
Damage from a collision, a tow, or the weather — repaired on site at 11660 Ventura Blvd. Every job starts with a written estimate, and no work begins until you have authorized it.
Front, rear and side impact damage put back to pre-loss condition.
Dents, creases and damaged panels repaired or replaced.
Colour-matched refinishing so the repair blends into the rest of the vehicle.
Structural damage measured and brought back into specification.
Bumper covers, mouldings and trim repaired or replaced.
Vehicle towed in damaged? We assess it in the yard, so it never has to move twice.
Most of our repair work is paid for by an insurance claim. You do not have to manage that back-and-forth yourself — that is our job.
Your insurer, your claim number, and your adjuster's name if you have it. If you have not opened a claim yet, tell us and we'll walk you through it.
A written estimate listing parts and labor separately, showing whether each part is new, used, rebuilt or reconditioned — and we send it straight to your insurer.
We deal with the negotiation. If we uncover hidden damage once the panels are off, we document it and submit a supplement to your insurer — we don't hand you the problem.
Wherever your insurer allows direct billing, we invoice them and you pay only your deductible. We'll tell you the number before any work starts.
Under California law, an insurance company cannot require you to have your vehicle repaired at a specific shop. It may only recommend one if you ask for a referral, or after telling you in writing that you have the right to choose. And if you pick your own shop, your insurer is not allowed to cut down the reasonable repair cost just because their preferred shop would have charged less.
California Insurance Code § 758.5 (a), (b)(1) and (d)(2)No insurance, or paying out of pocket? That's fine too — we'll write you the same itemized estimate and nothing gets repaired until you say go.
Plain-English answers about getting your vehicle back and getting it repaired.
Call us with your license plate or VIN. We'll confirm the vehicle is here and tell you the exact amount owed. Then come in with a valid photo ID, proof of ownership (current registration or title), and payment — and you drive out the same day.
The total is the towing charge plus storage, which accrues per day the vehicle is in the yard. We'll give you the exact, itemized total when you call — and coming in sooner keeps the storage portion down.
Yes — they'll need a notarized authorization from the registered owner plus their own valid photo ID, along with the vehicle's proof of ownership.
Call us and we'll arrange a time for you to collect personal items from your vehicle during office hours.
Yes. The impound yard and the body shop are the same address, so the vehicle doesn't need to be towed anywhere else. Tell us when you call and we'll assess the damage while it's with us.
No. Under California Insurance Code section 758.5, an insurer cannot require you to use a specific repair shop, and it cannot reduce a reasonable repair cost just because you chose your own shop instead of theirs.
Wherever your insurer allows direct billing, we invoice them directly and you pay only your deductible. We'll confirm exactly what you owe before any work starts.
That's common on collision work. We document the hidden damage, photograph it, and submit a supplement to your insurer for the extra cost. We handle that conversation — you don't have to.
Always. You get a written estimate with parts and labor listed separately, and no repairs begin until you have authorized that estimate.
The registered owner needs to be involved — either coming in themselves or providing a notarized authorization. If your situation is complicated (recent purchase, lienholder, lost title), call us and we'll walk you through exactly what's needed.
For vehicle releases, calling is always fastest. For anything else, all fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Universal Automotive operates a secure vehicle impound and storage yard together with a collision and body repair shop at 11660 Ventura Blvd in Studio City. We handle impounds, storage and vehicle releases with a clear, documented process, and we repair collision-damaged vehicles on the same site — working directly with your insurance company on the claim, the estimate and any supplements. Call ahead and we'll confirm your vehicle and total fees before you make the trip.
