Auto Body Shop, Collision Repair & Dent Removal in Hutchinson, MN
I-CAR certified technicians and Mopar genuine parts. Free estimates and free loaner vehicles, backed by a lifetime paint guarantee. We handle collision repair, hail damage, dent removal (paintless dent repair), and the insurance claim end to end — on Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler and every other make on the road. Ryan Alsleben runs the shop and he is who you talk to.
Get a Free Estimate(320) 587-4748Jay Malone CDJR's collision center at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson, MN handles collision repair, hail damage, and dent removal — also called paintless dent repair or PDR — on all makes and models. Estimates are free with no obligation, including second opinions, and we honour approved estimates from other shops where needed. 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 to Friday 7:30am–5:00pm, closed weekends. The collision center does not offer vehicle pickup and delivery; if your vehicle is not driveable, call and we will help arrange a tow. Call (320) 587-4748 or email ryana@jaymalonemotors.com.
Ryan Alsleben — Collision Center Manager
I lead the collision team here, and the goal is simple: make your repair smooth, fast and stress-free, and keep you in the loop while it happens. The whole team is I-CAR Certified and aluminum repair certified, with over 60 years of combined experience in the bay.
We work with every insurance company, honour approved estimates from other shops when that is what you need, provide a free loaner during repair, and back every paint job with a lifetime guarantee. If something is not right, you call me — not a call centre.
“When you refer someone to us, it reflects on you — and we take that seriously.”
Why Central Minnesota Keeps Choosing Our Collision Center
A collision is stressful enough without working out where to take the vehicle, who to call at the insurance company, or whether you are getting genuine parts or substitutes. Our collision center has been handling those problems for neighbours 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. Drop a truck off after a June hailstorm or a deer strike on Highway 7 and you are dealing with the same people who put you in a loaner and hand the keys back when it is done.
Where being a CDJR dealership genuinely changes the repair. A Ram 1500 mixes an aluminum hood and tailgate with a steel body, which means one repair can need two different processes and physical separation between them — aluminum and steel dust together cause corrosion that surfaces months later as bubbling under paint. A Wrangler is a set of removable panels, doors, fender flares and a hardtop, each with its own alignment and seal, and a rushed reassembly announces itself with wind noise and leaks rather than bad paint. A Grand Cherokee or Wagoneer carries driver-assistance cameras and radar that must be recalibrated to factory specification after related repairs, or the safety systems quietly stop seeing what they should. We have the Mopar factory repair procedures, the OEM diagnostic equipment, and access to Mopar genuine parts — which is what turns those into process instead of guesswork.
Ryan Alsleben leads a team with over 60 years of combined experience. From a door ding on a Compass to a structural rebuild on a Ram 2500 after a highway collision, 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, Dent Removal & Auto Body Services We Offer
From a single door ding to major structural repair — all makes and models, all insurance companies.
Dent Removal & Paintless Dent Repair
Dent removal through PDR works the metal back to shape from behind the panel — no cutting, no filler, no repaint. Best for door dings, hail damage and car-park dents on unbroken paint. Your factory finish stays intact.
Major Collision Repair
Frame straightening, structural repair and full panel replacement after moderate to severe accidents. Restored to factory specification using Mopar genuine parts wherever the repair and your policy allow.
Hail Damage Repair
One of our busiest repair types from late May through August. We fix dents, replace glass, and work directly with your comprehensive coverage to get the vehicle back on the road.
Paint & Refinishing
Computer-matched paint for factory-accurate colour, blended into surrounding panels so the repair does not announce itself. Backed by our lifetime paint guarantee.
Mixed Aluminum & Steel Repair
Certified aluminum repair, which matters on a Ram 1500 — aluminum hood and tailgate on a steel body means two processes, different tooling, and separation between them to prevent 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 — coordinated with recalibration of driver-assistance cameras and radar, which is not optional on a modern Jeep or Ram.
Jeep Off-Road & Trail Damage
Rock rash, bent skid plates, creased rocker panels, damaged fender flares and hardtop or soft-top issues. Trail damage is not collision damage, and it is not always an insurance claim — ask us either way.
Ram Box & Bed Repair
Bed sides, tailgates, RamBox lids and bumper damage from loading, towing and jobsite use. Common on working trucks and often cheaper to repair than the owner expects.
Deer & Wildlife Collision
Rural Minnesota means deer strikes. Front-end damage, radiator and cooling system repair, panel replacement, and the sensor work that usually comes with it.
Dent Removal in Hutchinson — What It Is and When It Works
Most people searching for dent removal are describing one of three things: a door ding from a car park, a crease from something that scraped along a panel, or a field of small dents after hail. They are different repairs, and knowing which one you have tells you roughly what it will cost.
Paintless dent repair (PDR) is the technique behind most dent removal. A technician works the metal back to its original shape from behind the panel, using purpose-made tools and reading the reflection on the surface to know when it is right. Nothing is cut, filled or repainted. It is slow, skilled work and it looks like magic when it is done properly.
The reason to care is money and resale value. PDR is usually cheaper than conventional repair because there is no paint, no blending into neighbouring panels, and no materials cost. And because the factory finish never gets touched, the panel stays original — which is worth real money at trade-in, where repainted panels get noticed.
One honest caveat. Dent removal is not always worth doing. If you have a single small ding on an older truck that is already earning its keep, and it does not bother you, leaving it alone is a legitimate answer and we will say so. Where we would push you to act is anything with broken paint — in Minnesota, exposed metal plus road salt turns a cosmetic problem into a rust problem within a couple of seasons.
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 row of 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.
For light to moderate hail damage on unbroken paint, dent removal through PDR is usually the right answer — faster than conventional bodywork, cheaper, and the factory finish stays intact across every panel. 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 doing the day it happens. Photograph the vehicle in daylight from a low angle along each panel — hail dents are nearly invisible straight on, and damage that is not documented tends not to get paid for. And do not feel rushed into accepting the first number. 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 to approve a repair quickly.
- Free written estimate. Bring the vehicle in, or email Ryan a few photos. No charge, no obligation. We also honour approved estimates from other shops where that is what you need.
- We contact your insurance. Already filed? Give us the claim number and your adjuster's details and we take it from there.
- Supplements 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 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.
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.
Mopar Genuine 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 a Ram 1500 with an aluminum hood on a steel 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 Mopar genuine parts whenever the repair calls for them and your policy allows. On Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler 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 sensible way to keep a repair affordable — and we will tell you so rather than upselling. 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 mixed-material vehicles like the Ram 1500, plus trucks, SUVs and crossovers.
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 mixed-material vehicles and older steel builds. If it drives, we fix it.
Serving Central Minnesota From Our Highway 7 Collision Center
Free estimates. Free loaners during repair. Factory procedures and Mopar parts. 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 collision technicians, Mopar genuine parts 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 a second opinion on an estimate from somewhere else.
Also at Jay Malone CDJR
Body Shop FAQ — Collision Repair & Dent Removal in Hutchinson, MN
The questions we actually get asked in the collision center.
What's the difference between dent removal and paintless dent repair?
They are the same thing. Paintless dent repair (PDR) is the industry name for what most people call dent removal — working dented metal back to its original shape from behind the panel without cutting, filling or repainting. It is the standard solution for hail damage, door dings and car-park dents when the factory paint is unbroken. Because the original finish stays intact, dent removal through PDR is typically faster and cheaper than conventional bodywork and protects resale value better than repainted panels.
How much does dent removal cost in Hutchinson, MN?
It depends on the size, depth and number of dents — a single door ding is a very different job from light hail across five panels. Most minor dents qualify for PDR, which is usually cheaper than conventional bodywork because there is no paint, no blending and no materials cost. For an exact number on your vehicle, bring it in for a free estimate or email Ryan a few photos at ryana@jaymalonemotors.com.
When does paintless dent repair not work?
Three situations. If the paint is cracked or chipped, the panel needs conventional repair and refinishing. If the metal has been stretched past the point where it will return — usually a sharp crease or a dent on a body line — PDR cannot pull it back cleanly. And if there is no access behind the panel, the technician cannot reach the back of the dent. We tell you which of these you are looking at during the free estimate rather than after.
Is it worth repairing a small dent at all?
Not always, and we will say so. A single shallow ding on an older truck that does not bother you is a legitimate thing to leave alone. Where we would push you to act is any damage with broken paint — in Minnesota, exposed metal plus road salt turns a cosmetic problem into a rust problem within a couple of seasons, and rust repair costs considerably more than the original dent would have.
How much does a collision estimate cost at Jay Malone CDJR?
Nothing. Estimates are free, written and carry no obligation. That includes a second opinion on an estimate you already have, which is worth getting — two shops looking at the same damage can come to quite different numbers depending on what each plans to repair versus replace.
Do I need an appointment for a body shop estimate?
Recommended but not required. Walk in during body shop hours, Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm, call Ryan at (320) 587-4748, or email ryana@jaymalonemotors.com with photos for a quick preliminary assessment. We are at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson, MN 55350.
What photos should I send for an estimate by email?
Five or six. One of the whole vehicle from about fifteen feet, two close-ups of the damage 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, all major carriers — State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, American Family, GEICO, Farm Bureau, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, USAA and 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. We also honour approved estimates from other shops where that is what you need.
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 give us a call.
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 separately 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 (320) 587-4748 and we will help you arrange a tow straight to the shop. If it is still at the scene or in a police impound lot, say so 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.
Do you offer a loaner vehicle while my vehicle is repaired?
Yes. A free loaner is available during collision repair for all makes and models, subject to availability on the day. Ask when you schedule — if a loaner is not available for your dates we tell you then rather than at drop-off.
How long does collision repair take at Jay Malone CDJR?
It depends on the damage. Minor bumper repair or PDR 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 estimate said?
Usually one of two reasons. 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 continue. 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.
Does the body shop work on all makes and models, or only Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram?
All makes and models. We are a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership, but our I-CAR certified collision technicians work on every manufacturer — Chevrolet, GMC, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Volkswagen and more — and we source OEM or OEM-equivalent parts for every brand.
Why does a Ram 1500 need aluminum repair certification?
Because it is a mixed-material vehicle. The hood and tailgate are aluminum on a steel body, so one repair can involve two different processes with different tooling and joining methods — and the two have to be physically separated, because aluminum and steel dust together cause galvanic corrosion that surfaces months later as bubbling under the paint. A shop without the certification and the separated workspace is not equipped for that job, whatever the estimate says.
Can you repair a Wrangler's doors, fender flares or hardtop?
Yes, and a Wrangler is genuinely its own repair. It is a set of removable panels, doors, flares and a top, each with its own alignment and seal. A rushed reassembly does not show up as bad paint — it shows up as wind noise at 60mph and a leak the first time it rains hard. We reassemble to factory alignment and check seals before the vehicle leaves.
Do you repair Jeep off-road and trail damage?
Yes. Rock rash, bent skid plates, creased rocker panels, damaged flares, top and door issues. Worth knowing: trail damage is often not an insurance claim, either because it falls under your deductible or because you would rather not file. Tell us up front if you are paying out of pocket and we will build the estimate around what actually matters to you rather than what an adjuster would approve.
Can you repair a Ram bed, tailgate or RamBox?
Yes — bed sides, tailgates, RamBox lids and bumper damage from loading, towing and jobsite use. It is common on working trucks and often cheaper to repair than owners expect, particularly where PDR or a single panel repair can do the job instead of replacement. Bring it in and we will tell you which.
Do you recalibrate driver-assistance systems after a repair?
Yes, and it is not optional. If your Jeep or Ram has adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring or automatic emergency braking, the cameras and radar behind the windscreen, mirrors and bumpers must 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 Mopar equipment and procedures.
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, dent removal through PDR restores the vehicle without touching the factory finish.
Will a repair show up on my vehicle's history report?
Possibly. An insurance claim can appear on CARFAX or a similar report, 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 genuine 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 rather than ours, generally when repair cost approaches a set percentage of the vehicle's value. If it happens we give you the estimate and documentation to use in that 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 CDJR?
The collision center is open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday. Those hours differ slightly from our service department, so if you are coming specifically for a collision estimate, aim for a weekday.
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 dent removal through 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.
Visit Our Collision Center in Hutchinson
Name: Jay Malone CDJR — 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.
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(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 Mopar genuine 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; listing does not imply endorsement or a direct repair program relationship. Mopar® and RamBox® are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC.
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Jay Malone Motors
1165 Highway 7 West
Hutchinson, MN 55350-1511
- Sales: (320) 587-4748