Insurance Claims
You don’t always realize how important it is to understand the auto body repair insurance claims process until you’ve been in a collision. When you have, you need to brush up on everything from how to contact your insurer to what your local trusted car accident repair specialist does to restore your vehicle to its former glory. There can be a lot to learn in a short space of time.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, keep reading to receive a crash course, pardon the pun, on how to navigate the collision repair process:
Make a Report and File a Claim
Once you’ve confirmed everyone at the scene is safe, contact your insurance company to report the accident and get a claim number. At this time, you should also take photos and video footage of the collision site and save all accident-related documentation. Your insurer may require this when approving your claim!
Undertake the Assessment and Insurance Approval Process
Auto body repair insurance companies want to know what happened and what the damage is so they can estimate your repair costs. This helps them determine whether repairs are feasible.
Contact an established car accident repair business for a damage assessment. Some of the most reputable businesses offer free estimates for your peace of mind. You can choose an in-person assessment or an online estimate.
After you file a claim with your insurance company, the assigned adjuster will review and, in most cases, approve the auto body shop’s estimate.
Disassemble the Vehicle and Look for Hidden Damage
The damage you see isn’t necessarily all there is. That’s why it’s so important for an auto body shop to look beyond the immediate damage. Once the insurance company agrees for them to proceed with repairs, they remove the damaged panels and look for any possible hidden structural, mechanical, or electrical issues.
If they discover additional damage, they create a supplemental estimate to send to the insurance company for approval. Also called a supplement, the auto body shop adds the expected labor and parts so it can be approved alongside the original estimate. This is a normal part of the auto body repair insurance claim process.
Receive Final Approval and Order Parts
Once the true extent of the vehicle damage is determined and the insurance company approves the estimate, the auto body shop can order the necessary parts so repairs can get underway! Most insurance companies approve both OEM and aftermarket parts.
Perform the Repairs – Frame Alignment and Painting
A lot of hard work happens behind the scenes as you wait for your pride and joy to be ready to drive again. While you wait, experienced technicians are replacing structural components, straightening the frame using specialized electronic measuring systems and frame alignment equipment, and performing body work.
Once the vehicle is as straight as when it rolled off the factory floor, it undergoes body work and the full painting process, from priming and color matching to base coats and clear coats.
Reassemble the Vehicle and Perform Quality Control
You’re one step closer to having your garage queen back on the road! Your chosen car accident repair specialists will attach all parts, trim, and electronics before testing them. As the final stage, they’ll clean and road-test your vehicle to ensure it meets safety standards.
Next, you’ll review the final paperwork, pay any applicable deductible, and pick up your pride and joy looking as good as new!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Collision Repair Process
It’s only natural to have questions about the auto body repair insurance process when you’ve never been through it before. While your local auto body shop will happily answer your questions, you’ll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked ones below:
1. Do I have to use the car accident repair specialist my insurance company recommended?
No. Your insurance company can provide you with a list of in-network auto body shops, but you don’t have to use any of them. You can choose your own.
2. How long does collision repair take?
It depends on the repairs needed. Minor cosmetic work or small dents may take only 1-3 days, while moderate damage could take 1-3 weeks. More significant damage, especially with structural repairs and ADAS recalibration, could take 2-8 weeks. Your auto body shop can provide a more accurate timeline after assessing the damage.
3. Do I pay the body shop, or does the insurance company?
In most cases, the insurance company pays the auto body shop directly for the covered repairs. However, you’re typically responsible for paying your deductible to the body shop when you collect your vehicle.
4. What is a supplemental estimate?
The true extent of a vehicle’s damage isn’t always realized until panels are removed. If they find additional damage, the auto body shop will send a supplemental request to the insurer for approval for more materials and labor before work begins.
5. What should you take to a collision assessment appointment?
To streamline the process, bring:
- Insurance claim number
- Vehicle registration
- A valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID
- Pictures of the damage
Kickstart the Collision Repair Process at Mr. Car Shine Body Shop in Garland, TX
Now that you’re familiar with how the auto body repair insurance process works, are you ready to get started? The experienced technicians at Mr. Car Shine Body Shop in Garland, Texas, are here to help restore your pride and joy to its former glory. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation damage assessment, and let us handle your insurance claim from here on out.