Each auto body repair shop may differ from the below, but this will give you a good idea of the entire process. Remember that after your car has been repaired, there is another step that you should take if you were not the at fault driver. Any time a car has been in an accident, it loses value regardless of how well the repairs were done. If you take two cars into a dealer and one has been in an accident, it will be worth less. This difference in price is called Diminished Value. To learn how to get this money from the insurance company of the person that hit you, go to Advocate Auto Claims.
The accident (hey, it happens.)
First Notice of Loss to the insurance company.
Call to a properly certified collision repair shop, with preliminary estimate. You can do more than one- watch for low bids The Shop confirms the loss report to the insurance company Insurance company gives you a claim number.
The Repair shop gets your information and needs.
Claims Management process starts.
Repair Authorization is signed.
Insurance coverage limitations accessed and confirmed Payment policy is reviewed and payment decisions are made Initial completion data confirmed Repair order signed.
Estimating and Evaluation
Repair shop provides written estimate or proceeds with repair agreement with authorization from the insurance company Establish repair completion date according to your needs, repair complexity, parts availability and insurers authorization The Repair shop reviews estimate with insurance company as needed Complete pre-repair inspection and assessment made to detect any additional needs Any additional costs, betterments or additional service/repairs itemized and payment determined with your authorization
Repair Process management
Parts are ordered by the auto body company/repair shop parts are recieved and stored.
With good repair places, they also do a complete pre-repair wash.
Initial Repair
Repair process begins with tear down and disassembly. Additional insurer and consumer authorization Hidden damage is detected, if any, after exposure in tear-down process. Sometimes, a supplemental order is written and customer is informed of a revised completion date.
Optional: Any additional parts are ordered and upon arrival repairs continue.
Structural Body and Metal Repair
Basic Structural repair is done in certain cases of very bad accidents. Body and metal repairs done according to manufacturer specifications Parts installed and inspected ( make sure they are OEM parts and that they are new ). Body parts are refinished and ideally corrosion is protection restored according to manufacturers specifications. Body and metal work is completed to consistent pre-refinish grade prior to refinish, the vehicle is inspected, primed, sanded, sealed and masked.
Painting and Refinishing Process
Painting the vehicle begins.
Primers and special base colors are added Vehicle is baked to cure refinish coats to meet manufactures specifications. Primary color is applied clear coat and final stage of painting is applied. Refinish is buffed and wet sanded where necessary to ensure invisible repair, and meet manufactures specifications. Final inspection of painting and finish.
Post Paint Reassembling Process
The Vehicle is reassembled.
Any Post repair cleaning is completed.
A final inspection ensures that all repair standards have been met.
Post Repair care and maintenance
Customer is notified that repairs are completed. Re-inspection dates are set if necessesary. Other ongoing maintenance such as annual tune-ups, oil change, etc. are also recommended.
Final Delivery of repair completion
Auto Body Shop Reviews repairs with the customer to ensure that all repairs have been done correctly. Final paperwork signed and payments, if any due, are then made.
That’s it! Your car is now repaired! That is a lot of work right? Make sure you follow up with Advocate Auto Claims Specialist at http://advocateautoclaims.com to make sure you are compansated for the diminished value of the vehicle as well.
