The Typical Collision Repair Process detailed below is available in the Resource Vault and can be downloaded as a Pdf Document.

PRE-REPAIR PROCESS

This process typically starts with an accredited autobody Repairer quantifying the damage to the vehicle and creating a formal estimate. You may be directed to a specific Repairer by your Insurer or you might contact and visit a Repairer directly for an estimate. Please note that you might be charged for an estimate, so it’s always best to confirm the process with the Repairer. The acceptance of the estimate is subject to adjudication by your Insurer appointed assessor.

Once an estimate is completed and forwarded to your insurance company, the assessment process begins which could be performed by an on-site assessor or digitally through their office or appointed assessment provider.

REPAIR PROCESS

Your customer liaison consultant will discuss the terms and conditions based on the quotation and authorised repair order and advise you of the estimated time to completion. Your contact details will be captured to provide you with regular status updates of the repair progress.

Step 1 – Disassembly

Once authorisation has been received, the autobody specialist in the workshop will begin disassembling the vehicle. Parts that can be reused are then labelled and stored for reuse.

Step 2 – Parts Ordering

A comparison is now performed between the originally quoted parts and the damaged parts identified after disassembly. Should additional parts be required, authorisation will be requested from the insurance company and procured through the relevant authorised suppliers. This may result in delays to the repair cycle, but the process is actively managed to reduce delivery delays, and your inconvenience, to a minimum.

Depending on the Insurer and terms of your policy, the parts may be specified as either original manufacturer, used or alternative parts. You will be advised before the procurement process is initiated. The responsibility rests with the Insurer, but the Repairer will confirm your understanding and may request your acceptance in writing.

Step 3 – Panel Beating and Mechanical

Panel beating under the supervision of a qualified and accredited artisan may include the use of specialised equipment, accredited by the manufacturer, on the structure of the vehicle and measured precisely to determine its adherence to the manufacturer’s specifications. Often mechanical repairs are required and may be outsourced depending on the nature thereof. All repairs and related parts which are safety critical to you will be inspected, replaced as necessary, and quality checked by trained personnel.

Step 4 – Paint Preparation and Colour matching

Once panel beating is completed, joints are sealed, panels primed for protection and then finished in preparation for the paint application process. Colour matching is performed digitally by scanners that match paint formulas provided by the vehicle manufacturers. This includes their recommendations on the best match to the original vehicle’s colour, even if it is faded and aged.

Step 5 – Painting

Painting is undertaken in a pressurised spray booth at a fixed temperature best suited for the painting process. The air in the spray booth is filtered and moisture extracted. This ensures a consistent professional finish. Once painting is completed the vehicle is baked in an oven to allow for adequate adhesion.

Step 6 – Assembly

Your vehicle is now ready to be reassembled with panels aligned, electrical and mechanical parts installed, and relevant diagnostic checks performed. Wheel alignment may also be done if required. Safety checks form part of this process.

Step 7 – Polishing and Final Quality Checks

Painted panels are now polished to remove any surface dust, and to colour match the panels with the rest of the vehicle’s panels, to display an even and lustrous vehicle. Checking panel gaps, paint quality and finish, assembly of interior panels, functionality and operation of components is completed and, in some instances, confirmed through a test drive.

Step 8 – Delivery

Once your vehicle has been passed by our quality technician, it is cleaned inside and out, and you are informed of its readiness to be collected.