Estimate
Before repairs can begin, you must get an estimate of repairs for your vehicle. The estimate may be written by an estimator at a collision repair facility, an appraiser/adjuster from the insurance company, or an independent appraiser/adjuster for the insurance company. The estimate will include what needs to be repaired, replaced, or painted as well as the cost and timeframe for repairs.
Other common industry names for estimates include: Damage reports; damage appraisal, and visible damage quotes.
Two Types of Damage
Collision damage is typically categorized as either drivable or non-drivable damage.
“Drivable damage”, as the name implies, means your vehicle can still be driven following a collision. However, before you drive, your vehicle may require temporary repairs to make it roadworthy until your scheduled repair date. For example, if your airbag was deployed during the accident, your vehicle should not be driven until the airbag has been replaced and the system is working properly. When making any temporary repair, all safety and mechanical items should be considered.
“Non-drivable damage” requires the vehicle to be towed to the collision repair facility or salvage pool to await an estimate.
Estimate/Damage Report Writing Location
If your vehicle is drivable, the estimator can drive to where the customer is located, such as work or home. You may also get an estimate completed at a drive-in claims center or the collision repair facility in an estimating bay.
If the vehicle is not drivable, the damage report is written at the location it was towed after the accident, such as a salvage pool or storage area at the collision repair facility.
Initial Inspection
The first step in assessing damage to your vehicle is typically an initial vehicle inspection. This will help determine whether your vehicle can be safely and economically repaired. We not only look for damage related to the collision, but for signs of previous repairs and pre-existing damage.
An initial inspection includes:
- An overview of the damage
- Imagining the direction and force of the impact to help determine if any of the damage extends beyond the area of initial impact
- A consideration of the collision energy transfer and absorption
- Looking for structural damage indicators
- Asking the vehicle owner if there have been any changes in the handling or operation of the vehicle, provided it has been driven since the collision
- Visualizing the repair process
Underlying Damage
Some damage may be hidden and not found until repairs have begun. To get a full, accurate estimate, we suggest disassembling your vehicle to see damage not visible on the surface. Disassembly requires your vehicle to be dropped off at one of our locations. If you are unable drop your vehicle off, your vehicle's repairs will be based only on the visual damage we are able to see.
Supplemental Repairs
After disassembling for vehicle for repair, if we find damage not included in the estimate, we will write a supplement to the estimate. However, before we can move forward with repairs, we must get approval for the repairs from the party responsible for payment. The approval process can cause delays in the repair process.
To help avoid delays, be sure to drop your vehicle off at one of our locations for a disassembly and complete estimate.
Repair Blueprint
We use the estimate to create a “repair blueprint” for your vehicle. The blueprint is designed to:
- See the entire repair picture before repairs are started
- Allow your vehicle to enter the “repair stream” and continue without stopping
- Identify all parts needed down to the clips, moldings, and one-time-use fasteners
- Determine any supplemental work
- Find any hidden damage
Parts and Materials
We use the estimate as a blueprint for repairs, ordering and verifying the repair parts to make sure they are in good condition and match the make and model of your vehicle. Sometimes your vehicle's replacement parts will be brand new and sometimes they will be used parts. Collision Solutions and your insurer can explain the pros and cons of each.
Warranty
All of your vehicle's repairs are backed by a written Lifetime National Limited Warranty.