Identifying Paint Problems

What To Expect During A Collision Repair

After a collision, you'll want to get your vehicle back up and running as quickly as possible. Fortunately, using an experienced body shop can minimize the amount of time your car is out of commission. Here are a few things to expect during the collision repair process.

You'll Need to Get an Estimate for the Repairs

One of the first things you'll need to do during the collision repair process is acquire an estimate for the repairs required to fix your damaged vehicle. If you're using insurance to assist with paying for the repairs, the insurance company will use its own adjusted to assess the damage to your vehicle.

You want to obtain your own estimate so that you can make sure your body shop agrees with the estimated costs to fix your vehicle. When you get an estimate, your body shop can also tell you when they'll be able to repair your vehicle and how long the repair job will take. 

The Length of Time to Complete Your Repairs May Change

When a body shop provides the initial estimate for the damage to your vehicle, they usually compile the estimate based on the visual damage to your vehicle. However, once they start taking parts of your vehicle apart, they may discover that other components are damaged.

If this occurs, it might delay the time it takes for your repairs to be completed, especially if your body shop has to order parts for your vehicle. Should your body shop expect the additional repairs to increase the cost of the overall job, you can contact the insurance company to have the quote for the damages adjusted accordingly. 

You May Have the Ability to Reduce the Cost of the Repair

You might decide to pay out-of-pocket for the repairs if you have a high insurance deductible or if you're dealing with fairly minor repairs. However, you have options to help you reduce the overall price for your repairs.

One option is to use aftermarket parts. These are new parts that are produced by a company other than your vehicle's manufacturer. They tend to cost less than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts; however, quality for these parts can vary depending on the manufacturer. You may also consider using used parts for your repairs. 

Your body shop can help you decide if aftermarket or used parts are right for your vehicle, or if you should pay the higher price for OEM parts. If you do decide to use aftermarket or used parts, your body shop can recommend options that utilize high-quality materials.