Benny’s Auto Body has a tried and true process that we adhere to when we are dealing with individuals whose vehicles have been damaged in an accident. We call it our Auto Body and Paint Repair Process, and it involves ten specific steps that we take in order to complete the work that needs to be done to your vehicle.
1). The Damage Review
The first order of business after your accident will be for you to meet with one of our Damage Review Estimators. This individual will be able to ascertain just how much damage has been done to your vehicle and will be able to put together an estimate that will include everything that will be needed in order to conduct the repairs to your car. The items on the estimate will include parts, service, fees and labor charges. If a complete estimate cannot be done on the premises, we will arrange for you to leave your car with us until we can determine the full extent of the process. We will not begin work until we have given you a complete estimate and you have authorized the repairs.
2). Disassembly
Once we have your car in our shop; have conducted our complete estimate and received authorization, we will disassemble the damaged area completely in order to determine if there is anything else that we missed that will need to be done. Many times there are internal repairs that will need to be done that cannot be seen until we have disassembled the damaged area. At this point you will be given a rewritten or readjusted estimate to include the new work that needs to be done.
3). Getting Insurance Signoff
Once we have determined how much work needs to be done we can submit the insurance company in order to review the supplemental damage. At this point it will be up to the insurance company to determine if the vehicle is able to be repaired and if they will pay the costs associated with repairs.
4). Ordering the Necessary Parts
Once insurance approval has been received, we will start ordering the parts necessary in order to repair the damage to your vehicle. This may take hours, days or even weeks depending on the kind of car that you drive, the amount of damage that was incurred and the availability of the parts in question.
5). Repairing Your Car’s Structure
Once we have received all of the parts needed we can then begin the process of repairing your car’s structure. We use computer based measurement systems in order to analyze the vehicle frame to ensure that the right corrections and repairs are made.
6. Repairing Your Car’s Body
Once we have done the preliminary work we then begin replacing the exterior panels and any of the metal finishing that is needed. This includes any cosmetic repairs that are needed in order to bring the vehicle up to speed. However, this also includes making sure that all the new parts fit correctly and are aligned so that your vehicle will run smoothly.
7. Painting Your Vehicle
Once the real work has been done it is all down to cosmetics. This finishing step is vital in that it can make the difference between a car that runs like new and one that breaks down quickly due to exposure to the elements. Painting includes preparing the panels as well as priming and sealing them then putting on a top color and clear coats in order to ensure that they match up with the rest of the car.
8. Reassembling Your Vehicle
Once all of the structural repairs have been made and all of the pieces and parts have been reattached, any additional repairs that are needed will be done at this time.
9. Detailing Your Vehicle
Now it is time to divest your vehicle of all of the accumulated dust and dirt that has accumulated during the repair. Cleaning is done at this time and a road test is conducted in order to make sure that everything is working properly and is as good as it was before the question.
10. Completing Your Vehicle’s Repairs
Now that your car has been fixed it is time to wrap things up. When you come to pick up your car we will hand you an itemized bill with everything explained in detail and you will drive your car away and won’t be able to notice any difference between your pre-accident car and the car you are driving now.
In Closing
As you can see, we have this down to a fine art. We take your automobile repairs very seriously and have put together this step by step procedure to ensure that you will have the smoothest transition possible from a damaged vehicle to a workable driving machine.