Any car accident can be a stressful experience for any driver, leaving you wondering about the repair process. Where do you start, and what repair processes are involved? How much will it cost?
Dealing with car bodywork damage, insurance claims and choosing a reliable accident car repair shop can take time and careful consideration. This guide offers a clear, step-by-step breakdown of the car accident repair process and practical tips to help you make informed decisions and get your vehicle back on the road. Let’s look at what’s involved in restoring your car to its original look after any accident.
Highlights
- Step-by-step car repair process explained
- Cost-saving tips for car accident repair
- Navigating insurance claims easily
- How to get high-quality, timely repairs
What to Do After a Car Accident
Ensure your Safety
If you are involved in an accident, the first thing to do is assess the situation. If you do not have any serious injuries, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe place so that traffic is not hindered. Do not move if you are hurt and feeling lightheaded. Call the emergency service or ask for help and exit the car as soon as possible.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Before contacting your insurer, make sure you have collected the basic information, such as
- The date, time, and location of the accident.
- Exchanged the contact information of the involved drivers.
- Photos of the damage, vehicle positions, and the surrounding area.
- Get the dashcam video of the accident, if possible.
Provide your insurer with the full details of the incident. They may ask for your statement, any photos and information you’ve collected. The company will register your claim and assign you an agent. Your agent will recommend an approved repair centre and send someone to assess the damage. The insurer may also offer you a courtesy car if covered by your policy.
Repair Quotation Approval
Once your claim is registered and has been referred to an insurance-approved workshop. The workshop will assess the damage and provide a written quote based on the necessary repairs. They may deal directly with your insurer to speed up the authorisation process. The agent will review and approve the repair cost and authorise the repair work.
Most insurance-approved repairs work directly with reliable insurers to streamline the process and get your car repaired to the highest standards.
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Understand What Repair Is Needed for Your Car
After the detailed inspection, the workshop technician will explain the extent of the repairs or replacements needed to restore the vehicle. For minor accidents, dent removal, panel replacement, and respraying are usually enough to fix the car. However, a complete vehicle dismantling is required to identify any underlying issues for more severe incidents.
Types of Repairs You May Need
Repairing a car is a multiple step process that covers everything from minor cosmetic issues to structural damage. Several common repairs for minor accidents include dent removal, paint correction, bumper repair, alloy wheel renewal, wheel alignment, and more.
Major car collision damage may require full body dismantling to access the damage, which may include mechanical work, panel replacements, or frame alignment
Minor Collision Repair
Minor collisions, such as the bumpers, small to medium scratches, and dents, are common and often only require cosmetic repairs like dent removal services or resprays.
Here are some of the most frequently used services:
Scratch & Paint Chip Repair Service
This service targets light scratches and stone chips using smart paint blending techniques. It restores the car to its factory look without requiring a full panel repaint.
Headlights Restoration & Windscreen Replacement
Headlights and the windscreen are the first things to get damaged when you have a bump. A technician can repair the headlight glass, but based on the condition, they might suggest replacing it. Both of these services are covered in most car insurance plans.
Wheel Balancing & Alignment
Proper wheel balancing helps your wheels rotate smoothly, reducing tyre wear and minimising vibrations. Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your tyres so your car drives straight, handles safely, and maintains even tyre wear which is important after an accident or body repair.
Chassis Damage Repair
If your car has experienced impact or rough driving over uneven surfaces, the chassis of your vehicle’s frame may be misaligned or damaged. Proper chassis repair restores structural integrity, to ensure safety of your car, better handling, and preserving your vehicle’s original shape and driving performance.
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Major Accident Car Repairs
If you are involved in a major car accident, it is important to get your car repaired by a professional car repair service provider.
This involves a multi-step process, from the mechanical issues to the car’s structural integrity. If the impact has bent the vehicle’s frame, technicians may use computer diagnostic tools to check the frame alignment and structure and restore it to company specifications. They have to make sure that there are no underlying mechanical issues.
Your damaged car’s exterior parts like bumpers or panels may need replacement if their integrity is compromised. Wheel alignment and tyre balancing becomes important when the impact affects suspension, or steering geometry.
These complex repairs usually take days or weeks, depending on the damage to your vehicle.
For detailed information, read our blog on the Car body repair process.
Insurance Repairs and What to Expect
Car insurance is a legal requirement, so if you’re involved in an accident, your insurer will usually be involved in the repair process. Once you report the incident and register a claim, the insurance approved car body repair shop will carry out a vehicle damage assessment and submit it to your insurer for approval before starting any work.
It’s best to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. This helps speed up the process, as they usually need to check the damage, agree on the repair costs, and sometimes discuss details with the repair centre.
Many car repair centres offer substitute vehicles to keep you on the road while they restore your damaged car, if included in your insurance plan. However, delays can happen if parts are unavailable or approval takes longer.
How to Minimise Delays for your Car Repairs
After an accident, it’s natural to want your car repaired and back on the road as soon as possible. While minor repairs can take a few hours to a few days, major repairs may take several weeks, depending on parts availability, insurer approvals, and workshop scheduling.
To help avoid unnecessary delays and keep the repair process moving smoothly, follow these practical tips:
Notify Your Insurer Immediately
Report the accident and start your claim as soon as possible. Early communication allows your insurer to begin assessing the damage and authorising repairs without delay.
Choose an Insurance-Approved Repair Centre
Opt for a garage recommended or approved by your insurance provider. These repair centres usually have faster approval times, follow industry standards, and provide warranty-backed repairs.
Stay in Regular Contact with the Repair Centre
Keep in touch with the garage for progress updates. This ensures you’re informed about any potential delays (like part shortages) and helps you plan accordingly.
Need Car Body Repair?
Get a free assessment and quote from our certified technicians today!
Ask About Courtesy Cars
Many approved body shops offer courtesy vehicles while your car is being repaired. This can help you stay mobile and avoid disruption to your daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stop the car in a safe spot, turn on hazard lights, and contact your insurance provider.
Avoid admitting that you were at fault or making any statement that could affect your insurance claim later on.
Minor car accidents usually happen at slow speeds. They result in surface-level damage to the vehicle and no serious injuries. However, even minor accidents can lead to claims and disputes, so it’s important to inform your insurance provider as soon as possible.
Why Choose AVX Team for Your Car Accident Repair?
Not all repair shops specialise in accidental car repairs. It is important to find a car repair shop that understands the process. If you need professional car accident repair services, AVX team can help you with insurance approved car repairs. Feel free to get in touch to restore your damaged car’s original look.
Why Choose AVX Team for Your Car Accident Repair?
Not all repair shops specialise in accidental car repairs. It is important to find a car repair shop that understands the process. If you need professional car accident repair services, AVX team can help you with insurance approved car repairs. Feel free to get in touch to restore your damaged car’s original look.
