A costly car repair can be the tipping point in a person’s ability to have reliable transportation. Assurance Auto in Kalispell seeks to change that with a charitable mission to offer vehicle repairs to the public at a reduced cost.  

“Transportation is like a huge, huge driver in a person’s ability to get to work, to put food on the table because the reality is we live in a valley where mass transportation is more limited than a large city,” said Kris O'Connell of Invana Media Partners, a local marketing firm, representing Assurance Auto.   

“It’s really a critical need to be able to get yourself to work, to school. Maybe you have to get to medical appointments. Things like that really can make an impact in a person’s life,” she said.  

Located at 1402 Airport Road, Assurance Auto’s mission is to provide affordable auto repair, charging customers the cost of parts only.  

“You’re going to get a bill that is at a reduced cost, you’ll also be shown what the full, normal like an average market rate would be and if you want to pay more on it, anything above what you’re required to pay would go back into supporting the business and the mission,” O’Connell said.  

No application or proof of income is required to have a vehicle repaired.  

“There’s no criteria for who needs help,” said Kris O'Connell of Invana Media Partners, a local marketing firm. “They’re not involved in saying, you know, this person needs more help than the other. They’re just saying, if you need your car repaired ... come make an appointment.  

The nonprofit auto shop, which opened in the summer, has two mechanics on staff. Behind the nonprofit venture is Bigfork real estate developer JCM Development, O'Connell said.   

“This is a faith-based mission for the owner," she said, adding that the owner wishes to remain anonymous.  

Currently, the shop is fundraising to purchase a hydraulic lift. In addition to monetary donations, people may also donate vehicles and usable auto parts in good condition.  

“We might have to fix it and that’s OK as long as it has some potential to be a running, safe, vehicle,” O’Connell said.  

Not long ago, Assurance Auto’s lead mechanic, Bobby Snide, purchased a used vehicle at a low price and purchased parts to fix it up to so it could be gifted to a person in need.  

“The vehicle did not require that much to get it operational and in order to be a safe and running vehicle,” O’Connell said. “So, there’s an example of how a donated vehicle might be used.”  

For more information visit assuranceautoshop.org. To schedule an appointment or arrange a donation call Office Manager Megan Langford at 260-4428 or email [email protected]. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.  

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected]. 

    Licensed Master Technician Bobby Snide replaces the spark plugs and spark plug wires in a customer's misfiring Chevy 3500 pickup at Assurance Auto in Kalispell on Wednesday, Jan. 15. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider