Panelbeaters Rothesay Bay Drivers Have Trusted Since 1957
Rothesay Bay doesn’t have its own panel shop, and it doesn’t really need one. Holgate Panelbeaters is a few minutes down the hill in Browns Bay, close enough that dropping your car off barely interrupts your day. We’ve been doing panel and paint Rothesay Bay locals rely on since 1957, back when the shop was one small building on Beach Road. It’s grown a bit since then. Two sites now, Browns Bay and Albany, both still family-run.
Crash Repairs Without the Insurance Headache
Nobody plans on needing crash repairs, and most Rothesay Bay locals are dealing with an insurer for the first time in years when it happens. We’re an approved repairer for AMI, IAG, Vero, State, FMG, NAC and several others, so the quote goes straight to your assessor and you’re not stuck translating over the phone. You still get to choose your own repairer, whatever your insurer’s preferred list says. If you’re paying privately instead, we’ll give you a straight number before anything gets touched, and we’re upfront if a repair isn’t worth claiming against your excess at all.
EV and Tesla Panel Beating Done Properly
Aluminium bodywork and battery-adjacent panels aren’t forgiving of guesswork. A general panel shop working on an EV the way it would a twenty-year-old Corolla is how you end up with corrosion problems two years down the line, or worse, a car that isn’t structurally what it was before. Holgate Panelbeaters is an approved Tesla repairer Rothesay Bay owners can actually book with confidence, using genuine Tesla parts and the specific aluminium welding and rivet bonding techniques the manufacturer requires. We’re also approved for BYD. If you’ve typed EV panelbeaters Rothesay Bay into Google hoping for more than a general shop willing to “give it a try,” this is who you were after.
Why Locals Choose a Structural Repairer
We’re proud CRA members with structural repairer accreditation, and that status isn’t automatic. It comes from ongoing training, equipment upgrades and audits, not a one-off sign-up years ago. Loan cars are available while yours is in for repair, including Tesla and BYD loan vehicles for EV owners who don’t want to drop back to a petrol car for a week (ask when you book, availability varies with how busy we are). Repair time depends on parts and the extent of damage, we’ll give you a realistic estimate at assessment rather than a vague “a few days.”
Worth a Walk While You Wait
While you’re waiting on the assessment, Browns Bay Beach is an easy stroll from here. Or push on further along the coastal path to Murrays Bay if you’ve got the time, Rangitoto sits out across the water the whole way and it’s a nice enough walk that you won’t mind the wait.
Looking for panelbeaters Rothesay Bay locals actually vouch for? Get in touch with our Browns Bay team or ring 09 479 5612 to book your assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my insurer's recommended panel shop?
No. Your insurer might suggest a “preferred” repairer, but the choice is legally yours. You can nominate Holgate on your claim and we’ll deal with your insurer directly from there, whether it’s an EV job or standard crash repairs Rothesay Bay drivers bring in after an everyday knock.
Does an EV or Tesla repair cost more than a normal crash repair?
Sometimes, mainly because genuine parts and specialist aluminium work aren’t cheap and general repairers often can’t source them at all. We’ll give you an itemised estimate before anything’s approved, so there’s no surprise at collection.
How does the insurance excess work?
You pay your excess to us once the repair is finished, and we invoice your insurer for the balance directly. A few insurers (like AA and Vero) let you pay the excess to them instead, we’ll tell you which applies when we lodge your claim.
Can I get a loan car while my vehicle's being repaired?
Yes, subject to availability, and if you drive an EV you can ask for a Tesla or BYD loan vehicle so you’re not stuck in a petrol car while yours is being fixed. Mention it when you book your assessment so we can hold one for you.
Will my car drive the same after a structural repair?
That’s the point of choosing a CRA-accredited structural repairer. We measure and repair to the manufacturer’s original tolerances, not an approximation, so the safety and handling should match what you had before the crash.