What To Expect

When will my car be ready?
From start to finish, the repair of your vehicle can be a lengthy process.  Even small repair jobs can take longer than you expect due to the necessary process of repair.  This can be further complicated by the shop's volume, parts delays, obtaining authorizations and timely reporting of your loss by the insurance company.  The following repair sequence may help you better understand why the repair process may take longer than you had expected.

Following your reporting of the loss to your insurance company:

• The insurance company transmits the repair assignment to the repair facility electronically or your insurance or the other individual’s insurance company will estimate the obvious damages.
• The vehicle owner is contacted by the repair facility to schedule an estimate appointment or if the insurance company has written an “estimate” our shop will start with their estimate.
• The estimate is written and the vehicle owner signs a repair authorization.
• Parts are ordered by the repair facility.  When parts arrive, the repair facility contacts the vehicle owner to schedule an appointment for the repair.
• The vehicle is disassembled and reinspected.  A supplemental repair estimate is prepared if necessary.  Parts are checked to vehicle, if wrong or damaged they are reordered.
• The repair facility obtains authorization of necessary additional repairs from the owner and insurance company.
• Additional parts are ordered if needed.
• If structural repairs are needed, the vehicle is set up on a unibody/frame repair equipment.  Structural repairs are performed.
• Body panels are prepared and installed.   Body repairs are performed.
• Replaced/repaired areas are sealed and primed.  Corrosion protection is applied.
• The vehicle is sent to the refinish department.  Vehicle is washed and chemically cleaned.
• The vehicle surface is prepped, primed, block sanded and sealed.
• The vehicle is taped, bagged, masked, blown off and placed in the paint booth.
• The vehicle undergoes multi-step refinishing (including clear sanding on repaired areas).
• The vehicle is reassembled.
• The vehicle is taken to a sublet repair facility for suspension alignment, A/C service, clearing dash light codes for air bags, etc.
• Vehicle is cleaned and undergoes final inspection and test drive.
• Vehicle owner is contacted and advised of the delivery time.

NOTE: Not all of the above procedures may apply to the repair of your vehicle.

Other factors may delay the repairs to your vehicle, such as severity of damage, if the vehicle was not drivable or the extent of hidden or unforeseen damages.  The repair facility will make every effort to advise you and your insurance company of delays in the repair process.