Los Angeles is dry, but cars still rust here: salt air near the coast, stone chips that expose bare steel, old collision repairs that were never sealed, and cars that moved here from snow states. Rust is chemistry, so it keeps going until the corroded metal is removed. Sanding and painting over it only hides it for a season.
Small surface rust spots are an inexpensive fix, often done alongside other paint work. Bubbled areas on a single panel usually cost a few hundred dollars more because of stripping and refinishing. Rust-through that needs welding or panel replacement costs more, and structural rust is priced after a full inspection. Rust is generally considered wear rather than accident damage, so it is usually not covered by insurance unless it resulted from a covered loss. We always give you a written estimate first and tell you honestly when a panel is better replaced than patched.
Surface rust and most bubbling can be repaired by removing the corrosion and refinishing. Once there are holes, we cut out the damaged section and weld in new metal, or replace the panel if that is cheaper or stronger.
Not if every bit of corroded metal is removed and the repair is sealed with epoxy primer, seam sealer and cavity protection. Rust comes back when it is painted over instead of removed.
Usually not, because rust is treated as wear. If rust developed from a covered accident repair or from damage in a covered event, talk to us and your insurer.
Small spots can be finished in a day or two. Panel sectioning or structural rust repair usually takes several days to a week.
At our North Hollywood, Van Nuys and Venice shops. Coastal drivers often choose Venice, where we see salt-air corrosion every week.
.avif)
.avif)
.png)
.png)
.avif)
.avif)
Our clients trust Regal Repair for quality, transparency, and exceptional service. From start to finish, we're committed to delivering a smooth repair experience and results that exceed expectations-every time."
Gold Class obliges every technician involved in collision repair to complete training every single year: hidden damage, repair-versus-replace decisions, airbag and seatbelt inspection, and technology that did not exist last model year.
What Gold Class requires
Our technicians hold I-CAR Platinum recognition and ASE certification. Completed repairs are documented against the vehicle's VIN and secured for the life of the car, so a future buyer or appraiser can see exactly how the work was done.
How Certified Repair documentation worksManufacturer certification means the automaker has audited Regal Repair's tooling, technician training and documented repair procedures against its own requirements. BMW, MINI and Tesla work is handled as a specialisation rather than under a manufacturer certification programme, and is labelled that way here. All manufacturer logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
All insurance claims accepted
Our certified estimators coordinate directly with your adjuster: the estimate, the supplement for hidden damage, the photographs and the repair documentation. Regal Repair is independent of every insurer on this list, so the repair plan is written to the manufacturer's procedure, not to a claims target.
How our claim assistance worksClaims staff on call 24/7
Call the police and get a report number, photograph the scene and the other vehicle, and collect witness details before anyone leaves. Then call us — we can start the claim, arrange the tow and speak to your insurer before you do.
(818) 505-1442These are the carriers our estimators work with most often — but we accept every insurance claim, whether or not your insurer appears here, and you are free to choose your own repair facility regardless of what a carrier suggests. Regal Repair is not an agent of, and is not endorsed by, any insurance company listed. All insurer logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
.png)
.webp)
.avif)
.svg)
.webp){kind=small}
.avif){kind=small}
