Most drivers will be involved in an auto accident at some point in their lifetime, but not everyone knows what the post-accident collision repair process is like. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of what will happen to your car after an accident.
Step 1: Move the Vehicle to a Safe Place
If possible, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic for the safety of both yourself and others. There are a few situations where you shouldn't do this, such as if moving the vehicle would further injure someone or when the vehicle is disabled.
Most of the time, though, you ought to move your vehicle to the side of the road or a nearby parking lot for safety reasons.
Step 2: Go to a Collision Repair Center
Once the initial chaos of the accident is over, your vehicle needs to go to a collision repair center for damage assessment. It should be taken to a qualified center regardless of how much damage you think there is — even minor fender-benders can result in damage that needs repair. Moreover, underlying damage is sometimes serious but not visible to the untrained eye.
If your vehicle is operational and safe to drive, it can be driven to a nearby automotive service center. It's helpful to know what center in your area you'd like to use before an accident occurs, so you can just drive there and not worry about searching for a place during this stressful time.
If your vehicle isn't driveable, a tow truck will need to bring it to a collision center. Rather than calling a tow truck, you can simply call the collision center of your choice and tell them you need a tow. They'll either have a truck that can get your car or know of a wrecker service that is able to.
Step 3: File an Auto Insurance Claim
If your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage, you need to file an insurance claim with them. Most insurance companies make it easy to initially file claims, and the initial process doesn't take too long.
If you don't have collision and comprehensive coverage, this step and Step 5 can often be skipped.
Step 4: Get an Estimate for Repairs
Your chosen collision service center will provide an estimate for the repair work. This usually happens the same day your car arrives at the center, or it might be the next business day if your car arrives after business hours.
At the time of the estimate, the technician who gives the quote can also let you know whether the car is safe to drive regularly. If it is safe to drive, you can bring the car home until the work is actually done. If it's not, you'll have to leave the car at the center until it's fully repaired.
Step 5: Have Your Insurer Approve the Estimate
Before repair work is done, your insurance company will want to verify the estimate. Verification may be as simple as sending in photos if the insurer has a relationship with the service center. Occasionally, however, an adjuster will need to see the car before approving the work.
Step 6: Schedule the Repair Work
After any necessary approval is obtained, the repair work can be scheduled. Collision work often takes longer than a regular oil change or brake job, and your car might need to be at the center for a few days. So you may need to arrange for alternative transportation during this time.
If you've been in an accident and need collision repair, contact Automotive Super Sports to get this process started.
