You filed an insurance claim for damage to your car, so what's next? Get a repair estimate for the damage.

If you and your car were involved in an accident, or if your car has incurred damage in some way, chances are you have filed a claim with your insurance company to have your car fixed.

But what is the next step in having the insurance company process the claim and pay for the repairs? ​Having an estimate written for the damages is the first step in having your car repaired. You may be asking, what does this consist of, how long will the process take, who handles the communication with the insurance company, and what do I do after the estimate has been written and submitted to my insurance? These are all common questions that we hear every day, therefore we have put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate this process. ​

What does getting an auto body estimate consist of?

• The estimate process itself is an overall vehicle inspection and damage analysis. Photos of the vehicle (and the damage) are taken, and a report is written that outlines what needs to be done to restore the car back to factory condition. The report consists of an itemized list of all the items on the car that may require replacement or repair, as well as a thorough breakdown of the charges. 

How long will the estimate process take?

• We pride ourselves on our customer accommodation and turn-around times. You may arrive at the shop without an appointment, and we will inspect the car within 10 minutes of arrival. If you do not wish to wait for a written report, we will be happy to email you a copy of it. From drive-in to drive-off, the whole process will take no longer than 15 minutes and the estimate itself will be prepared within 24 hours. 

Who handles the communication with the insurance company?

• We do. It's as simple as that. We submit the photos of the damage, as well as the repair estimate, to the insurance company for processing. Typically, the files are communicated to the insurance via specific industry software following specific industry guidelines. If there are additional documents and notes required by the insurance adjuster handling your claim, they will reach out to us directly. The last thing you need to do is learn specific uploading procedures; let us take care of it, it's our job.
• Note: You will be provided with a copy of the estimate as well.

​What do I do after the estimate has been submitted to the insurance company?​

• After the estimate and photos have been submitted to the insurance, the adjuster handling your claim will review the files, approve of the bill to repair the car, and notify both you and us to proceed with the repair.
  
• Note: Depending on the facts of the loss and if liability has already been accepted, you may drop your car off for repair even before the estimate has been written; to verify, please give us a call or email regarding your specific claim, and we will be happy to check that for you. 

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Once the estimate has been submitted, call or email us and we will schedule a drop-off date for repairs that works best for you.

Cheers!

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