The Auto Body Repair Process
10 Steps to Fixing Your Vehicle after a Collision
A step-by-step guide on what happens after you drop off your keys at our Body Shop.
We believe in transparency and on making your repair process smooth and worry-free.
While the process is quite simple on your end, after you get the claim started, it can almost feel TOO EASY for you.
That's because the whole team at Quimbys Collision Center is handling everything for you, from parts and the repairs to insurance and the claim--and even other specialty shops or dealerships in some cases.
Here's everything that happens when you bring your vehicle to us for a repair.
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Before Repairs Start, You Open the Claim with Your Insurance
One of the only things we can't do for you is start the claim with your insurance.
We can help coordinate towing of your vehicle or talk to you about why to choose us for your repair, but all the actual repairs start with you opening the claim with your auto insurance.
After this step, there is often very little contact (if any) you need to have with your insurance company.
Step 1 - We do an Initial Estimate
This gets the repair shop (us) and the insurance provider on the same page.
While it doesn't include any guesswork, it is still a preliminary estimate before disassembly where additional issues may come up.
Step 2 - You Give the Go-Ahead to Start Work
Even though insurance is involved with the repairs, it is still your vehicle that we have in our shop.
After the initial estimate, your insurance and us will look to you for the OK to start working on your vehicle.
Step 3 - Repair Pre-Scan
We'll check your vehicle's computer for collision-related codes and indications of hidden damage to your vehicle.
Step 4 - Full Disassembly
The damaged area of your vehicle is disassembled. This starts removing damaged or broken parts and allows access to structures or systems that need to be repaired beneath the bodywork.
It might reveal further work that needs to be done. In that case, we will contact your insurance to set up the repair supplements (you might see emails come through, but shouldn't have to do anything in most cases).
Step 5 - Research, Repairs, and Insurance Collaboration
We'll start repairing your vehicle from the inside out, following the manufacturer's repair guides directly.
We don't pretend to have all the repair standards memorized for every vehicle manufacturer. Your vehicles engineers have specific instructions on how each part of your vehicle should be repaired, and in some cases, what should NOT be repaired.
During this phase, are working on your vehicle, research proper processes, and doing all the due diligence to ensure your vehicle is repaired the right way.
Step 6 - Paint Work
After the structural repairs are complete, your vehicle enters the paint process.
This includes masking off areas that don't need to be painted, sanding, priming, multiple coats of paint, clear coat, and final finishing.
We use the highest quality paint and do an excellent job color-matching the rest of your vehicle so the repaired area blends in nicely.
Step 7 - Re-assembly and specialized calibration
We'll put everything back together and do the work to set everything up mechanically and electronically.
Things like blind-spot sensors or driver-assist systems like adaptive cruise or pedestrian detection may require specialized calibration from a dealership.
We'll take care of it all for you, even it it requires working with a dealership or specialty shop. You won't have to do anything.
Step 8 - Post-Repair Scan
After all the work and calibration is completed, we'll do a final post-repair system scan and make sure any collision-related codes are resolved.
Step 9 - Final Quality-Control Check and Cleanup
After the post-repair scan, we'll put your vehicle through a final quality check.
We'll make sure all the work was completed to the highest standards and that all the different repair steps work together properly to get your vehicle back to pre-accident condition.
Step 10 - Final Paperwork and Pickup
We'll contact you to schedule a time to pickup your vehicle. At this time, we'll get signatures or payment from you--depending on your unique situation.
You'll get your keys back, and we hope you'll never need us again.
But if you do, we'll be here.
Collision Repair Process
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an auto body shop do?
Auto Body Shops, or "Collision Centers," take care of fixing your vehicle after a car accident, collision, or other damage that require material manipulation instead of just replacing or servicing parts--like a mechanic would do.
In general, auto body shops fix damage to the exterior of your vehicle, and related systems. It's almost like the structural work to the body, frame, and overall foundation of the vehicle.
In comparison, mechanics and general auto shops typically focus on mechanical, electrical, or functional repairs related to how the vehicle operates. They do things like oil changes, engine work, routine maintenance, mechanical or electrical repairs, and things like that.
What do I need to know when my vehicle is at an auto body shop near Rochester, MN
A quality body shop will handle practical everything related to repairing your vehicle to pre-accident condition, including use of OEM parts, proper repair procedures, ADAS and Technology Recalibration, hidden damage and insurance supplements, and generally managing the repair work with your insurance company to get you the highest quality repairs for your vehicle.
Some body shops may benefit from you following up on things, pushing for timely collaboration with insurance, and checking in on repair procedures, parts selection, and the overall repair process.
However, when you work with Quimbys Collision, you can trust that we'll handle everything for you with the proper timelines, follow-through, communication, and efficiency. You're always welcome to check in on the work, but we strive for the highest quality work and diligence to ensure everything is done right with minimal involvement from you.
What if my vehicle needs to be taken to a dealership or specialized shop for certain repair work?
If your vehicle needs specialized mechanical work, ADAS or Technology calibration, or other work that can't be done at a body shop, we'll coordinate everything on your behalf--including the communication with your insurance.
Do you use OEM parts or original factory parts?
Yes, we we use actual OEM parts (not just "direct fit" or "OEM-spec parts") that we source from dealerships or official OEM parts suppliers.
The only time we ever make exceptions to this rule are when a customers specifically requests we use third party parts in order to save on their out-of-pocket costs--typically when insurance is not involed.
What is your warranty policy on repair work?
Yes. Put simply, we stand behind our work and will ensure the repairs done are the highest quality for as long as your vehicle is on the road. If repairs that we completed need to be redone, or if there are any related issues to the collision repair that we caused, we will to make things right.
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