Once you select
a Collision Repair Facility
A quality autobody
repair involves many steps to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
Sometimes initial inspection may not reveal all the work that needs to be done.
Until all the necessary work has been identified and all the parts have been received,
only a preliminary completion date can be given. Once all the required parts are
received, then a realistic completion date can be determined. Of course the sign
of a good collision repair center is a commitment to keep you completely informed
of your vehicle's progress all along the way through to its completion.
What Does the Estimate Tell Me?
An estimate
is more than the projected cost of all the identified parts and labor. It also
provides the basis of a work plan for your vehicle's repair. Key elements include
your insurance policy's specifications for original equipment, aftermarket or
used parts, and whether to repair or replace certain sheet metal parts since the
cost of repairing a damaged part can often be more than the cost to replace it.
Since the estimate is usually written before the vehicle is disassembled and measured,
it is only a preliminary document and subject to change.
Will My Vehicle Ever Be the Same?
If you
have chosen a quality repair facility, the answer is yes.
Restoring your vehicle to its pre-accident condition includes the following
important procedures:
Measuring the vehicle
against factory specifications
Replacing all
parts that should be replaced
Utilizing premium
paint finish products
The
Repair Process
As mentioned the collision
repair involves many steps. The following outlines the procedures involved and
important milestones along the way:
Estimate
Prepared
Owner signs Repair Authorization
Insurance approval
Parts ordered electronically
Parts received
Estimated Completion Date Given
Vehicle scheduled
for repairs
Vehicle disassembled & re-inspected
Insurance supplemental report written if additional parts/labor are required
Insurance supplement approved
Additional parts
ordered if necessary
Customer Updated on Completion
Date
Vehicle setup on Unibody repair equipment
Structural & body repairs made
New panels prepared/installed
Corrosion protection applied
All metal work inspected,
initial tests done
Customer Updated on Schedule
Completion
Vehicle chemically cleaned and tacked
Vehicle prepped, primed and blocked
Vehicle blown
clean, masked & taped, placed in paint booth
Multi-step paint refinishing process applied
Reassemble, wheel alignment, air conditioning, detailing, final inspection and
test drive
Confirmed Delivery Date Given |
