What To Expect When You Take Your Vehicle In For Repair After An Accident
If you are involved in an accident with your car, truck, or SUV, getting it fixed and back on the road is critical. Taking the vehicle in for collision repair is often the top priority, but if this is the first time dealing with collision damage, knowing what to expect from the repair service can help make the process easier.
Vehicle Damage Inspection
When your vehicle arrives at the collision repair shop, the first thing that will happen is a full inspection of the car to determine where all the damages are and how to repair it. The auto body technician will go over the entire vehicle and check everything from the frame, suspension, and drivetrain, to the body panels and glass, then generate a report for you that details their findings.
The damage report is essential, and the collision repair service can use it to determine the cost of the repairs and the time involved to complete the work your car needs. You will receive a copy of the damage report, and the collision repair service will send one to your insurance company for them to sign off on before the repairs can begin.
Once the insurance company approves the repairs, the technician can start the work on your car. It can sometimes take a few days or a week for the approval to come in from your insurer, but you can call them directly and ask about the claim status if you have not heard from them in a few days.
Making Repairs
Once the insurance approval comes in, and the tech starts working on your car, the time it takes to make the repairs can vary depending on the amount of damage sustained in the accident. Most collision repair shops will keep you informed about the repair status of the vehicle, but you can call and check with them from time to time if you need to.
The repairs to your car will often start by removing any damaged parts from the car and dealing with any frame or structural repairs first. The body panels will not align properly on the vehicle if the frame is bent or if there is a problem somewhere in the structural portion of the car. The running gear, axles, and alignment all depend on the frame being straight, so it must be repaired first.
Once any mechanical issues are corrected, the collision repair service will begin replacing or repairing body panels, and when everything is back on the car correctly, it will be repainted. It is not uncommon for vehicles to come out of the shop looking better than before the accident. Once the work is complete, the repair tech will contact you to can pick up the car.
Contact a local collision repair service, such as Exoticar Paintworks Inc, to learn more.
