NEW BOOK BY CHARLES WHITAKER
The Collision Recovery Playbook
Protect Your Vehicle. Understand Your Claim. Take Back Control.
289 pages of the knowledge insurance companies hope you never find. Written by a 25-year collision industry veteran who has seen every tactic from both sides of the desk.
You Were Never Supposed to Know This
Every year, millions of vehicle owners accept insurance settlements without question. Not because the offers are fair — but because no one ever explained what they were entitled to, how the process actually works, or what options they have when the answer is “no.”
The collision repair and insurance claims process is complicated by design. The people handling your claim have training, software, and scripts. You have a damaged car and a phone number to call.
This book changes that.
Written by Charles Whitaker — a certified appraiser, ASE Master Estimator, I-CAR Platinum-recognized professional, and former operator of one of the top five collision centers in a nationwide network — The Collision Recovery Playbook puts 25 years of collision industry experience in your hands. Not legal advice. Not scare tactics. Just the practical knowledge you need to protect yourself, your vehicle, and your family.
What You'll Learn
Four parts. Fifteen chapters. Every question you didn't know to ask — answered.
Part 1
After the Crash
- What to do immediately after an accident
- Is your vehicle really drivable?
Part 2
Know Your Contract
- Understanding your insurance policy
- Defining the word “repair”
Part 3
The Reality They Don't Tell You
- The collision repair myth that could cost you
- Are aftermarket parts really “like kind and quality”?
- The hidden cost of repair shortcuts
- Legal liability no one's talking about
- Fair claims practice laws — and why they often don't protect you
Part 4
Take Back Control
- How to take back control of your collision repair
- What happens when your vehicle is declared a total loss
- Diminished value — and why it matters
- The right to appraisal
- Choosing your collision center
- Post-repair inspections
- Bonus: Choosing the right insurance policy
Who This Book Is For
Vehicle Owners
- ✓ You've been in an accident and feel overwhelmed
- ✓ Your insurance company made an offer that feels low
- ✓ You want to understand your rights before signing anything
- ✓ You've never heard of diminished value or appraisal rights
- ✓ You want to protect your family with the right policy
Collision Centers
- ✓ Train new front-office employees on the claims process
- ✓ Give customer-facing staff a resource for explaining options
- ✓ Provide customers with practical guidance after an accident
- ✓ Educate without requiring staff to criticize insurers
- ✓ Let the book start the conversation your team shouldn't have to
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlie Whitaker
Charlie Whitaker is the founder and president of Collision Claims Advisors, LLC, an independent automotive appraisal and national collision repair consulting firm based in Gilbert, Arizona. He serves appraisal clients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding communities, including Prescott, Flagstaff, and Tucson, while supporting collision repair businesses nationwide.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning automotive repair, collision estimating, technical training, and executive leadership, Charlie brings firsthand knowledge of how vehicles are repaired, documented, and valued.
Charlie specializes in diminished value appraisals, total loss valuations, appraisal clause disputes, and repair documentation review. His work emphasizes independent analysis, thorough documentation, and market-supported conclusions that clients can understand.
Through CCA's consulting services, Charlie helps collision repair facilities improve operational processes, strengthen documentation practices, develop their teams, and protect profitability.
He founded Collision Claims Advisors to bring greater clarity and accountability to the claims and repair process, helping vehicle owners protect their interests and collision repair businesses build stronger operations.
Pre-Order Your Copy
Available November 2026. Orders ship as soon as the book is released.
PAPERBACK
The Collision Recovery Playbook
289 pages • First Edition • Published by Credenda Capital
$24.99
Free shipping on all pre-orders.
FOR COLLISION CENTERS
Let the Book Start the Conversation
Your front-office staff shouldn't have to explain why an insurance company's estimate might be incomplete. The book does it for them — with documentation, not opinions.
Train New Employees
Help people entering the industry understand the collision repair and claims process so they can better serve customers from day one.
Support Customer-Facing Staff
Give your team a resource for explaining common claim challenges and helping customers understand their options — without putting your shop in an awkward position.
Give Books to Customers
Hand a customer a resource that answers their questions, explains their rights, and positions your shop as the professional who cares enough to educate.
10+
Bulk Order Discount
Order 10 or more copies and receive 20% off with free shipping. The discount is applied automatically at checkout.
$24.99 $19.99 per book
ORDER BULK COPIES
Counter Display Kit
Put this in your waiting area and let the book start the conversation. Each kit includes:
- ✓ Professional countertop display with QR code
- ✓ 50 branded business cards with your unique promo code
- ✓ 15% off total loss and diminished value appraisals for your customers
The Book Is Just the Beginning
The Collision Recovery Playbook explains what vehicle owners and collision centers need to know. When it's time to act, Collision Claims Advisors is here.
Diminished Value Claims
Your car was repaired but it's worth less. We handle the appraisal and the claim.
Total Loss Disputes
Their offer is too low. An independent appraisal shows what your car is actually worth.
For Collision Centers
Appraisal support, operational analytics, and tools built by someone from the industry.
Right to Appraisal
Your policy may include an appraisal clause. We help you use it.
Questions About the Book
When will the book ship?
The anticipated release is November 2026. Pre-orders will ship as soon as publication is confirmed. We'll email you with tracking as soon as your copy is on the way.
Is the book available digitally?
The first edition is paperback only. A digital edition may be available in the future.
Is this legal advice?
No. The book is educational and informational. It explains the claims process, your options, and how the industry works — but it is not a substitute for legal counsel. The author is not an attorney.
Will the book be available on Amazon?
Yes. The book will be available on Amazon at the same $24.99 retail price.
How do bulk orders work?
Add 10 or more copies to your cart and the 20% discount is applied automatically at checkout, along with free shipping. No coupon code required.
Does this book criticize insurance companies?
The book explains how the claims process works, documents common practices, and describes what options are available. It is factual and educational. It does not attack any specific company — it empowers readers with knowledge.
Knowledge Is the First Step
The insurance company has a team, a process, and a script. Now you have a playbook.
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY — $24.99Available November 2026 • Paperback • 289 pages