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🏆 Voted Best Body Shop — HutchinsonAuto Body Shop & Collision Repair
Auto Body Shop & Collision Repair
in Hutchinson, MN
Aluminum-certified. I-CAR certified. Ford genuine parts and factory repair procedures. Free written estimates and free loaner vehicles on every collision repair, backed by a lifetime paint guarantee. Ryan Alsleben runs the shop and he is the person you talk to — from estimate to pickup. All makes and models.
Get a Free Estimate(320) 587-4748Quick Answer
Jay Malone Ford's collision center at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson, MN repairs all makes and models — collision, hail damage, paintless dent repair, frame and structural work, aluminum body repair, glass with ADAS recalibration, and deer-strike damage. Estimates are free and there is no obligation; walk in, call, or email photos to Ryan. A free loaner vehicle is available during repair, subject to availability. Every paint repair carries a lifetime paint guarantee. We work with every major insurance company and submit supplements directly. Body shop hours are Monday through Friday 7:30am–5:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday. Call (320) 587-4748 or email ryana@jaymalonemotors.com.
Why Central Minnesota Keeps Choosing Our Collision Center
A collision is stressful enough without having to work out where to take the vehicle, who to call at the insurance company, or whether you are getting original parts or substitutes. Our collision center has been handling those problems for neighbors across Hutchinson, Litchfield, Glencoe, Cokato, Dassel, Silver Lake and McLeod County since 2005 — and it is why the community keeps voting us Best Body Shop in Hutchinson.
We are not a chain and not a franchise body shop run from a corporate office in another state. We are a family-owned dealership on Highway 7 West, and every technician in the collision center lives and works in Central Minnesota. When you drop a truck off after a June hailstorm or a deer strike on Highway 7, you are dealing with the same people who put you in a loaner and hand the keys back when the repair is done.
Where being a Ford dealership genuinely changes the repair: modern Fords are not simple sheet-metal vehicles any more. An F-150 has an aluminum-alloy body, which cannot be repaired with the same tools, the same welding, or even the same workspace as steel — aluminum dust and steel dust cannot share a bay without risking galvanic corrosion. A Bronco or Explorer carries driver-assistance cameras and radar behind the windshield and bumpers that must be recalibrated to factory specification after a repair, or the safety systems quietly stop working correctly. And crumple zones are engineered to absorb specific forces in a specific order. We have the aluminum certification, the Ford factory repair procedures, the OEM diagnostic equipment, and access to Ford genuine parts — which is what turns those three problems from guesswork into process.
Ryan Alsleben, our Collision Center Manager, leads a team with over 60 years of combined experience. From a door ding on an Escape to a structural rebuild on an F-250, every vehicle gets the same lifetime paint guarantee, the same direct manager contact, and the same standard: put it back the way the factory built it.
See the Difference
Real results from our Hutchinson collision center — your vehicle restored to pre-accident condition.
BeforeAfterEvery repair comes with our Lifetime Paint Guarantee — because we stand behind our work long after you drive away.
Collision Repair & Auto Body Services We Offer
From minor dents to major structural repair — all makes and models, all insurance companies.
Major Collision Repair
Frame straightening, structural repair and full panel replacement after moderate to severe accidents. Restored to factory specification using OEM parts wherever the repair and your policy allow.
Hail Damage Repair
Minnesota hailstorm work is one of our busiest repair types. We fix dents, replace glass, and work directly with your comprehensive coverage to get the vehicle back on the road.
Paintless Dent Repair
For small dents, door dings and light hail damage, PDR works the metal back to shape without paint work — keeping your factory finish and your resale value intact.
Paint & Refinishing
Computer-matched paint for factory-accurate colour, blended into the surrounding panels so the repair does not announce itself. Backed by our lifetime paint guarantee.
Aluminum Body Repair
Certified aluminum repair, which matters specifically on the F-150 and F-250 — aluminum needs different tooling, different technique, and separation from steel work to avoid corrosion.
Frame & Structural
Computerised frame measurement and straightening to restore structural integrity and crash-worthiness. We measure to factory spec rather than to the eye.
Glass, Windshield & ADAS
Windshield, side and back glass replacement — coordinated with recalibration of driver-assistance cameras and radar, which is not optional on a modern vehicle.
Deer & Wildlife Collision
Rural Minnesota means deer strikes. Front-end damage, radiator and cooling system repair, panel replacement, and the sensor work that often comes with it.
Hail Damage Repair in Central Minnesota
If you have lived in McLeod, Meeker or Wright County long enough, you have watched a summer storm drop golf-ball hail across an open lot and turn a dozen vehicles into insurance claims in under ten minutes. Hail season here peaks between late May and mid-August, and when it hits, the phones start ringing from Hutchinson to Dassel to Buffalo Lake.
What most drivers don't realise Hail damage is almost always covered under comprehensive insurance rather than collision, which generally means it does not affect your rates the way an at-fault accident would. We will give you a free estimate, help you file the claim, and in most cases bill your insurance directly so you are not writing a cheque up front.
For light to moderate hail damage on unbroken paint, paintless dent repair is usually the right answer. PDR works the metal back to shape from behind the panel with no paint work at all — which preserves the original factory finish, keeps resale value higher than repainted panels, and normally takes less time than conventional bodywork. For severe damage, cracked paint or broken glass, we walk you through the full repair plan and timeline before any work starts.
Two things worth knowing before you file. First, take photos the day it happens, in daylight, from a low angle across the panel — hail dents are almost invisible head-on and adjusters miss damage that is not documented. Second, there is no rush to accept the first number. Whatever the severity, bring it in: a free second-opinion estimate costs you nothing and gives you a real comparison. Plenty of customers have come back after finding out what "approved by insurance" did not include.
Insurance Claims — We Handle the Headache For You
Most drivers deal with an auto insurance claim a handful of times in their lives. We deal with them every day. Our collision center works with every major insurance company, and we know what each adjuster needs in order to approve a repair quickly.
- Free written estimate. Bring the vehicle in, or email Ryan a few photos. No charge, no obligation, no pressure.
- We contact your insurance. Already filed? Give us the claim number and your adjuster's details and we take it from there.
- Supplemental claims for hidden damage. Once the vehicle is opened up we almost always find damage that was not visible from outside. We document it and submit a supplement directly to your insurer.
- Repair, then a quality check. Every vehicle gets a final inspection before it leaves — paint match, panel gaps, structural measurements, and any ADAS calibration the repair required.
- You collect it. A free loaner vehicle is available while we work, subject to availability. You pay your deductible and drive away with the lifetime paint guarantee in writing.
Insurance Companies We Work With
State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, American Family, GEICO, Farm Bureau, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, USAA, AAA, Travelers, Erie, Auto-Owners, Safeco, and most regional Minnesota carriers.
Your Right to Choose
You always have the right to choose your own body shop in Minnesota. Even if your insurer recommends a "preferred" shop or a direct repair program location, the decision on who works on your vehicle is yours.
OEM Parts vs. Aftermarket — Why It Matters
One of the real fights in collision repair is over parts. Some policies push aftermarket, non-original parts to reduce claim cost. Aftermarket parts often fit closely enough, but they are not built to the exact tolerances the vehicle was engineered around. On an F-150 with an aluminum body, crumple zones designed to absorb specific forces, and sensors mounted behind bumpers and mirrors, that becomes a safety question rather than a cosmetic one.
We use Ford genuine OEM parts whenever the repair calls for them and your policy allows. On Ford vehicles that means body panels, fascias, radiator supports and structural components matching factory specification exactly. For other makes we source OEM or OEM-equivalent parts from suppliers we trust.
The honest version: aftermarket parts are not automatically wrong. On an older vehicle with cosmetic damage, well away from structure and sensors, an aftermarket panel can be a perfectly sensible way to keep a repair affordable — and we will say so. Where we push back is structure, restraint systems, and anything a camera or radar is mounted to. If your policy limits parts to aftermarket only, we tell you before you sign, and explain what it means for fit, finish and long-term safety. You will never find out what went on your vehicle after the fact.
Certified Experts. 60+ Years Combined Experience.
The Jay Malone collision team holds the industry's most respected certifications.
I-CAR Certified
Entire collision team I-CAR certified — the industry standard for collision repair training.
Aluminum Repair Certified
Certified aluminum repair for modern trucks, SUVs and crossovers, including the F-150 and F-250.
60+ Years Combined
Over 60 years of combined collision repair experience across our certified team.
Lifetime Paint Guarantee
Every paint repair backed by our lifetime guarantee — we stand behind our work.
Voted Best Body Shop
Voted Hutchinson's Best Body Shop by our own community — not a manufacturer award.
Family Owned
Jay, Jake and Jordan Malone stand behind every repair that leaves our shop.
Meet Your Collision Center Team
Our body shop team brings over 60 years of combined experience to every repair. From a minor door ding to a complete collision rebuild, every vehicle gets the same attention to detail and the same lifetime paint guarantee.
We work on all makes and models — domestic and import, trucks and cars, modern aluminum-intensive vehicles and older steel builds. If it drives, we fix it.
🎓
I-CAR CertifiedInter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair
Serving Central Minnesota From Our Highway 7 Collision Center
Free estimates. Free loaners during repair. Factory-trained technicians. Worth the drive.
We are at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson, about five minutes off the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 15. Drivers from Litchfield, Glencoe, Cokato, Dassel, Waconia and across McLeod, Meeker and Wright counties make the trip because I-CAR certified, aluminum-certified collision technicians and a lifetime paint guarantee are worth it. A free loaner vehicle is available during collision repair, subject to availability, so you are not stuck while we work. Estimates are always free and never an obligation — including second opinions on an estimate you got somewhere else.
Hutchinson0 mi
Silver Lake9 mi
Glencoe11 mi
Brownton12 mi
Lester Prairie16 mi
Litchfield17 mi
Stewart18 mi
Winsted18 mi
Dassel20 mi
Howard Lake21 mi
Watertown22 mi
Cokato24 mi
Norwood Young America25 mi
Hector26 mi
Annandale27 mi
Waconia28 mi
Buffalo Lake29 mi
Buffalo32 mi
Kimball32 mi
Willmar39 mi
Also at Jay Malone Ford
Body Shop FAQ — Collision Repair in Hutchinson, MN
The questions we actually get asked in the collision center.
Is Jay Malone the best body shop in Hutchinson, MN?
Jay Malone Ford has been voted Best Auto Body Shop in Hutchinson by the local community — an award from our neighbours rather than one handed down by a manufacturer. Our collision center on Highway 7 West is I-CAR certified, aluminum-certified, family-owned since 2005, and backs every paint repair with a lifetime guarantee. Call Ryan at (320) 587-4748 or stop by 1165 Highway 7 West.
Does the body shop work on all makes and models, or only Ford?
All makes and models. Jay Malone is a Ford dealership, but our I-CAR certified collision technicians repair every manufacturer — Chevrolet, GMC, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia and more — and we source OEM or OEM-equivalent parts for every brand we work on.
How much does a collision estimate cost at Jay Malone?
Nothing. Estimates are free, written, and carry no obligation. That includes a second opinion on an estimate you already have from another shop, which is worth getting — estimates from two shops on the same damage can differ substantially depending on what each one plans to repair versus replace.
How do I get a free estimate at Jay Malone Ford?
Three ways. Walk into the collision center at 1165 Highway 7 West during body shop hours, Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm. Call Ryan directly at (320) 587-4748. Or email photos of the damage to ryana@jaymalonemotors.com for a quick preliminary assessment. You get a clear written estimate before any work begins.
What photos should I send for an estimate by email?
Five or six is plenty: one of the whole vehicle from about fifteen feet, two close-ups of the damage from straight on, one from a low angle along the panel so dents catch the light, and one of the VIN plate in the windscreen. Daylight, no flash. That is usually enough for a preliminary number, though a final estimate needs the vehicle in the shop.
Does Jay Malone's body shop work with my insurance company?
Yes. We work with all major carriers including State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, American Family, GEICO, Farm Bureau, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide and USAA, plus most regional Minnesota carriers. We handle the paperwork, submit supplements directly, and keep your adjuster updated. If you have already filed, bring the claim number and adjuster details.
Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?
No. In Minnesota the choice of body shop is yours. An insurer can recommend a "preferred" shop or a direct repair program location, and there is nothing wrong with those shops, but they cannot require you to use one. If you are being told otherwise, ask for it in writing and call us.
How long does collision repair take at Jay Malone Ford?
It depends on the damage. A minor bumper repair or paintless dent repair is often two to three days. Moderate collision work with panel replacement typically runs five to ten business days. Major structural or frame repair can take two to four weeks when parts have to be ordered. Ryan gives you a realistic timeline at the estimate, and tells you if it changes.
Why do collision repairs take longer than the original estimate said?
Usually one of two reasons, and both are worth knowing up front. Hidden damage is the common one — damage you cannot see until the panel comes off, which then has to be documented and approved by your insurer as a supplement before we can proceed. The other is parts availability, which is outside anyone's control. We tell you as soon as we know rather than letting the date slide quietly.
What is the repair process from drop-off to pickup?
Free written estimate, then we contact your insurance and start repair once it is approved. During the work we document hidden damage and submit supplements directly to your insurer. Every vehicle then gets a final quality check covering paint match, panel gaps, structural measurements and any ADAS recalibration the repair required. You collect it and drive away with the lifetime paint guarantee in writing. Questions at any point go to Ryan at (320) 587-4748.
Do you offer a loaner vehicle while my vehicle is repaired?
Yes. A free loaner vehicle is available during collision repair, subject to availability on the day, for all makes and models. Ask about it when you schedule the repair with Ryan — if a loaner is not available for your dates we will tell you then rather than at drop-off.
Does the body shop offer pickup and delivery?
No. Our collision center does not offer pickup and delivery — a free loaner vehicle during the repair is what we provide instead. If the vehicle is not driveable after an accident, call (320) 587-4748 and we will help you arrange a tow to the shop. Free pickup and delivery is available on the service side, inside Hutchinson city limits, for mechanical work on a driveable vehicle.
What if my vehicle isn't driveable after the accident?
Call us at (320) 587-4748 and we will help you arrange a tow directly to the shop. If it is still at the scene or in a police impound lot, tell us that on the phone — there are usually time limits and storage fees involved, and moving quickly saves money. We can work with your insurer on towing coverage.
Does Jay Malone repair hail damage in Minnesota?
Yes, and it is one of our most common repairs, especially May through August when Central Minnesota storms are most active. Hail damage is almost always covered under comprehensive insurance rather than collision, which generally does not affect your rates. For light to moderate damage on unbroken paint, paintless dent repair restores the vehicle without touching the factory finish.
What is paintless dent repair (PDR) and when can it be used?
PDR is a technique where a trained technician works the dented metal back to its original shape from behind the panel — no cutting, no filler, no repainting. It works best on small to moderate dents where the paint is unbroken: hail damage, door dings, minor car-park dents. Because the factory finish stays intact, PDR is faster and cheaper than conventional bodywork and protects resale value better. Ryan can tell you whether your damage qualifies at the estimate.
Why does aluminum body repair need special certification?
Because aluminum behaves nothing like steel. It needs different tooling, different joining methods, and physical separation from steel work — aluminum and steel dust mixing can cause galvanic corrosion that shows up months later as bubbling under the paint. On an aluminum-bodied F-150 or F-250, a shop without the certification and the separated workspace is not equipped for the job, whatever the estimate says.
Do you recalibrate driver-assistance systems after a repair?
Yes, and it is not optional. If your vehicle has adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring or automatic emergency braking, the cameras and radar behind the windscreen, mirrors and bumpers have to be recalibrated to factory specification after related repairs. Skip it and the systems can be quietly out of alignment — no warning light, just a safety feature that no longer sees what it should. We have the Ford equipment and procedures to do it properly.
Will a repair show up on my vehicle's history report?
Possibly. An insurance claim can appear on CARFAX or similar reports, and that is outside a body shop's control. What you can control is the quality of the repair and the documentation: a properly repaired vehicle with OEM parts, factory measurements and a written lifetime paint guarantee holds value far better at trade-in than one where nobody can say what was done. Keep your repair order.
What happens if my vehicle is declared a total loss?
That is your insurer's determination, not ours — generally when the repair cost approaches a set percentage of the vehicle's value. If it happens, we give you the repair estimate and documentation to use in the conversation, and our sales side can help you work out what replacing it looks like. We will not pad an estimate to push a vehicle over the line, and we will not talk you into repairing something that should not be repaired.
Do I pay the deductible to you or to my insurance company?
To us, at pickup. Your insurer pays their portion directly to the shop, and the deductible is the part you cover. We tell you the exact figure before the repair starts so there is no surprise at the counter.
What does the lifetime paint guarantee actually cover?
The paint work we did, for as long as you own the vehicle — peeling, cracking, or loss of adhesion on panels we refinished. It does not cover new damage, stone chips, or normal wear, and it applies to our work rather than to factory paint elsewhere on the vehicle. You get it in writing with the repair order, so keep that.
What are the body shop hours at Jay Malone Ford?
The collision center is open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday. Those hours are slightly different from our service department, so if you are coming specifically for a collision estimate, aim for a weekday.
Who do I talk to about my repair?
Ryan Alsleben, our Collision Center Manager, from estimate to pickup. Not a call centre, not a rotating advisor. Call (320) 587-4748 or email ryana@jaymalonemotors.com and you are talking to the person who runs the shop.
Talk to Ryan — Our Collision Center Manager
Ryan Alsleben manages our collision center and is your direct point of contact from estimate to pickup. When you reach out, you are talking to the person who runs the shop — not a call centre.
Whether you have just had an accident, want a second opinion on an estimate, or need to know whether your damage qualifies for paintless dent repair, Ryan will give you a straight answer.
Email Ryan Directly
ryana@jaymalonemotors.com
Phone the Shop
(320) 587-4748
Visit Us
1165 Highway 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350
“
We're family-owned and locally operated, and our goal is simple: make your clients' repair process smooth, fast, and stress-free — while keeping you in the loop. When you refer someone to us, it reflects on you, and we take that seriously.
Ryan AlslebenCollision Center Manager, Jay Malone Motors
Visit Our Collision Center in Hutchinson
Name: Jay Malone Ford — Collision Center
Address: 1165 Highway 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Phone:(320) 587-4748
Email:ryana@jaymalonemotors.com
Manager: Ryan Alsleben
Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–5:00pm · Sat–Sun Closed
Serving: Hutchinson, Litchfield, Glencoe, Cokato, Dassel, Waconia, Winsted, Willmar and all of McLeod County.
Ready to Get Your Vehicle Back to Like New?
Free estimates. Free loaner vehicles during repair. Lifetime paint guarantee. All insurance companies. All makes and models.
Body Shop HoursMon–Fri: 7:30am–5:00pm
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Location1165 Hwy 7 West
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Contact Ryanryana@jaymalonemotors.com
(320) 587-4748
(320) 587-4748
Estimates are free and carry no obligation. Loaner vehicles are free during collision repair and subject to availability; ask when scheduling. The lifetime paint guarantee covers paint work performed by Jay Malone for as long as the original customer owns the vehicle and does not cover new damage, stone chips or normal wear; see the repair order for full terms. Our collision center does not offer vehicle pickup and delivery; free service pickup and delivery inside Hutchinson city limits applies to mechanical service on a driveable vehicle, not collision repair. Repair timelines are estimates and may change with hidden damage discovered during repair, insurance supplement approval, or parts availability. Use of OEM parts is subject to the terms of your insurance policy. Total loss determinations are made by your insurer, not by Jay Malone. Insurance carriers listed are those we commonly work with and does not imply endorsement or a direct repair program relationship.
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Jay Malone Motors
1165 Hwy 7 W
Hutchinson, MN 55350
- Sales: (320) 587-4748
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