Omaha auto repair shops see major spike in workload after storms

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Auto body shops in the Omaha metro area are struggling to keep up with all the cars damaged by recent storms.

John Vasquez has worked in the auto body repair business for about 30 years.

"I'm the estimator, but I really manage people's expectations," said Vasquez. "That's my main job."

Now, Vasquez is having to manage his own expectations after his truck received hail damage Tuesday night.

"Now I'm on the other side of customers," Vasquez said. "Now I know how customers feel. Devastation. It's going to cost us money, time you know."

Vasquez' truck is one of many in line for repairs at Dingman's Collision Center in South Omaha.

Manager Derek Kuch says he's never seen anything like it.

"It's definitely crazy," Kuch said. "I've been doing this a while, and this is one of the more wild years. We've seen just storm after storm right on top of each other. Usually, they're a little more spread out."

Kuch says to help manage the flow, different teams are assigned to different jobs.

Collision repairs likely will not be impacted, but customers with storm repairs should be prepared for a longer wait.

"Two months to get an estimate and right around two to two and a half months to get repairs taken care of," Kuch said.

Kuch says customers can help speed up the process by contacting their insurance.

"I would say the biggest thing is just the more information they can have up front, the faster the process will go," he said.

Vasquez is prepared to get in line.

"Right now, I'm on the back burner. I'll get mine done in the winter. Customers got to get theirs first," Vasquez said.

Dingman's is considering staying open on the weekends to help get all the cars repaired in a timely manner.