A collision repair professional promises to repair your car to pre-loss condition, whether you have some bumps, scratches, and dents or not. Here are some tips to make sure you’re ready for when you actually need collision repair.
Collision Repair : Assessing the Damage
- Severity: Is the damage cosmetic (scratches, dents) or structural (bent frame, damaged suspension)?
- Drivability: Can you still drive your car, or does it require a tow?
- Safety Concerns: Are there any airbags deployed, leaks, or other safety hazards?
Once you comprehend the extent of the damage, you can determine the necessity of the effort. Maybe it’s purely superficial damage, and you can attempt to fix it yourself. If there are any structural or driveability issues, the shop nearest you will be your best bet for collision repair.
Collision Repair : Choosing the Right Body Shop
Whether you choose a shop to repair your vehicle, a facility to bid on a large construction project, or a company producing prototype components for space exploration, participating in a good collaborative event brings positive results for everyone. So, what can you do to promote effective collaboration? Here are a few ideas:
- Insurance Preferences:Your insurer has a relationship with a body shop you might not like. If you are submitting an insurance claim, your insurer may have a relationship with a body shop it wants to use.
- Ratings and Online Reviews: Verify the BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating and peruse online reviews.
- Get bids: Don’t accept the first quote. Obtain quotes from multiple body shops to ensure a fair comparison.
- Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, both for your own sake and because some technicians won’t fully explain things. By asking questions, you can guarantee proper work and reduce your costs. Don’t hesitate to ask: Will you check the brake cylinder? Is the spring repairable? Did you tighten the spark plug? How much is the copper wire worth? Will you check the colour of the solder? Is this a two-alignment job? Can I have a warranty? When will you be finished?
Collision Repair : The Repair Process
The process of repairing a damaged car can have different steps depending on its condition. This paragraph will provide a brief explanation of what’s involved.
If the car sustains severe damage, a tow truck will pick it up and transport it to the repair shop. Here, the tow truck empties the car of its fuel and all essential fluids, along with the battery, timing belt, tyres, body panels, and door frames. After that, the auto body technician inspects the car frame and makes the necessary repairs to smooth out the dents. Next, he’ll take out the outer bumpers and fenders.
- Inspection and Estimate: The body shop technician inspects your car and provides an estimate that details the cost of repairs and the work required.
- Insurance Approval (if applicable): If you are submitting a claim, your insurance carrier will review the estimate and most likely send out an adjuster to look at the vehicle before approving the work.
- Disassembly and Repair: We will remove the damaged parts from your car and proceed with the refit. And then we will repair part by part: frame straightening, panel replacement, welding, painting, and so on.
- Final Inspection and Delivery: After the work is completed, the shop will inspect the car and return it to you for a final walkthrough. You are able to ask any and all questions.
Collision Repair : Ensuring a Smooth Experience
Here are some additional tips to ensure a smooth collision repair experience:
- Round Up Evidence: Make sure you have your insurance information, police report (if any), and vehicle registration on hand.
- Communicate clearly: Please inform the body shop of your expectations and any concerns.
- Write it down: Obtain a written estimate detailing the necessary repairs, their cost, and the expected completion date.
- Ask for Warranties: In general, most shops that do good work will offer a warranty. Ask for details on the offer’s coverage and terms.
- Stay involved: Throughout the work, keep in touch with the body shop. Insist on frequent updates and ask questions.
Getting Back on the Road
Collision repair can be challenging. But if you remember these tips, you’ll be on the right track to ease the process and help things roll smoothly. Acclaimed body shops want to get your car back to its pre-loss condition, and often they’ll meet or exceed the manufacturer’s specifications, so it’s safe to trust the professionals. Just breathe in, hang on to this advice, and let the body shop take care of the car.
