Emergency Vehicle Collision Repair in Des Moines, IA
Fire apparatus, ambulance and patrol vehicle collision repair for districts, cities and services across Central Iowa.
A unit out of service is a gap in coverage
When an engine or a medic unit is down, a district runs short and the calls do not stop. That is why scheduling, honest timelines and regular updates matter as much on this work as the repair itself.
Emergency vehicle services
Fire apparatus
Body, compartment and cab repair on engines and rescue units.
Ambulances and EMS
Box, door and panel repair with attention to seals and fit.
Police and patrol vehicles
Collision repair and refinishing for patrol fleets.
Compartment and door fit
Damage that stops equipment doors sealing or latching properly.
Lifetime warranty
Every repair carries a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the vehicle.
Chevrons and reflective markings
Striping and conspicuity markings restored to spec.
Municipal fleets
Work for districts, cities and counties across Central Iowa.
What happens next
Here is how a repair goes once you call.
Free detailed estimate
Bring the unit in or send photos to start. We document the damage properly, which matters whether the claim goes through an insurer or a procurement office.
Approval and scheduling
We work with insurers, adjusters and municipal purchasing, and schedule around your coverage so the unit is off the run for as little time as possible.
Repair and return
Structure first, then panels, paint and markings. Regular updates throughout, so the chief always knows where the unit stands.
What our customers say
"We had an unfortunate accident with our Pops Truck on the way to a music festival and Shaun and the team were incredibly helpful to work with. Sadly the truck could not be saved, but they were a big reason we were able to salvage the weekend."
"We had a brand new truck get into a collision with a dump truck that resulted in pretty substantial damage in Ames. Collision Solutions came and picked it up for us, communicated extremely well with both us and our insurance, and left it sparkling upon delivery back to us!"
"Collision Solutions repaired a Peterbilt for me and the work performed was professional and fairly priced. A year later I asked Shaun if he would tackle painting a car for me — the guys in the shop treated my car as if it was theirs."
Why districts send us their apparatus
Emergency vehicles sit between heavy truck and specialty bodywork: commercial chassis, custom bodies, compartments that have to seal and latch correctly, and markings that have to go back exactly as they were. It is the same work we do on Class 8 trucks and coaches.
Owner Shaun Clinger has spent more than thirty years in collision repair. He has worked as a technician, run a shop, and spent time as an insurance adjuster. He trained at the Southeast Community College Autobody Repair Program in Milford, Nebraska, graduating top of his class in 1993.
The shop is family owned and family run, and works for fleets, owner-operators, construction companies, municipalities, and fire and rescue crews across Central Iowa.
What we pay attention to on apparatus
- Compartment seal and fit
- Doors that latch and seal the way they did before the hit.
- Markings and chevrons
- Conspicuity striping restored to the original layout.
- Structure before finish
- Chassis and body structure corrected before any paint goes on.
- Time off the run
- Scheduled around your coverage, not around our shop.
Getting your unit to the shop
A unit that cannot run is a gap in coverage. If it is still drivable we will come and drive it back ourselves, and if it needs towing we arrange that. We schedule around your cover rather than around our shop.
Where we work
The shop is on E Aurora Ave in Des Moines, just off I-80 and close to I-35. Pickup and drop-off covers Des Moines, Ankeny, Altoona, Boone and Newton, and we have collected damaged vehicles from as far as Ames.
We deal with the adjuster
We bill insurers directly and handle the back-and-forth ourselves. We work alongside insurers and municipal purchasing at the same time, so approval and repair move together instead of one waiting on the other.
"Shaun and his team provided service above and beyond what was expected and assisted us in finding the best solution for our repair. From start to finish the process was seamless and communication was timely and detailed."
Jennifer VermillionGoogle review
Frequently asked
Do you work with municipal purchase orders?
Yes. We work for fire districts, cities and counties as well as private ambulance services and fleets.
Can you restore chevrons and reflective markings?
Yes. Striping, chevrons and conspicuity markings are restored as part of the refinishing.
How quickly can a unit be back in service?
It depends on the damage and parts availability. We know a unit off the run is a gap in coverage, so we schedule around your coverage and keep you updated.
Do you work on fire apparatus as well as ambulances?
Both. We work on engines, rescue units, ambulances and patrol vehicles.
Will insurance cover the repair?
Usually. We bill insurers directly and deal with adjusters, and we are used to working alongside municipal procurement at the same time.
Unit out of service? Call the shop.
Free estimates and direct insurance billing. We know every day a unit is off the run matters to your district.