We understand that being in a car accident can be scary and confusing. That's why we have streamlined the repair process to make it as painless and convenient as possible for you. Here's how it works:
1. Vehicle Reception
The following information will be obtained upon receiving your vehicle:
- Your information
- Your insurance company information
- Notations of damage to the vehicle- this includes related and non- related damages
- Photographs of the vehicle, damages and contents
- Your signature and the best way of contacting you
At this time, we will assign a Toyota Carlsbad Collision Center estimator to you, who will explain the complete process so you will know what to expect during the course of repairs.
If needed, we also offer:
- Carlsbad Car Rental- Toyota & Lexus Rentals
2. Vehicle Damage Analysis
Your vehicle is disassembled to reveal all areas of damage and checked for the following:
- Damaged parts
- Structural dimension (if needed)
- Mechanical damage
- Secondary damages
- Unrelated damages
After the inspection, a detailed estimate will be created and provide line itemized information, including:
- Body Labor operations
- Paint Labor operations
- Parts Pricing
- Taxes
- Total Labor and Parts amounts
- Total repair cost
Your Toyota Carlsbad Collision Center estimator will then call you to review the estimate and to obtain the authorization to repair.
3. Insurance Company Supplement for Repairs
If your insurance company is not part of a direct repair program with Toyota Carlsbad Collision Center, we will have to wait for a re-inspection from the insurance company. Once the supplement estimate for repairs has been authorized by the insurance company, they will provide a revised estimate of repairs.
We will contact you, explain all of the supplemental revisions, and obtain an authorization for the supplemental repairs and amounts.
Even if an insurance company is paying for the repairs, we still need your approval to continue with the supplemental repairs. You can authorize this by phone, fax, or in person. The additional parts will now be ordered.
4. Body and Structural Repairs
Following the manufacturers guidelines, your vehicle will have panels repaired or replaced as needed. Inner structural components will also be addressed at this stage. Bolted on outer panels such as bumpers, hood, fenders, doors, luggage lid and/or liftgate will be replaced and aligned, per the estimate, and panel to panel gap openings will be set before the vehicle is sent to the next stage of painting.
5. Paint and Polish
The vehicle is now ready for the painting process. This process has three basic stages:
A. Prep - prime and prep the area that is going to be refinished. After the prime and prep is completed, a procedure called "block sanding" is performed to ensure the panels are straight and correct.
B. Paint - mask off the openings of the vehicle to prepare for paint. It is painted and baked in a climate controlled state of the art 1 Million BTU direct-fired downdraft paint booth. This paint finish and clear coat is baked at approximately 145 degrees.
C. Polish - lightly wet color sand the panels that have been refinished to ensure a consistent high quality, high luster finish. The vehicle is then ready to return to the collision repair technician for final assembly.
6. Mechanical, Final Clean Up, and Inspection
Mechanical work can be performed throughout the repair processes as necessary. The vehicle is then road tested, and sent to the Final Wash and Inspection. At Final Wash, the vehicle is:
- Washed
- Area of refinish work is waxed
- Windows are cleaned
- Interior is vacuumed
- Interior is wiped down and dressing applied
- Tire dressing is applied
Your vehicle is ready now ready for inspection and is raised on a lift and inspected for completion of estimate items.
7. Pick-Up Appointment and Deliver
After the inspection, you will be called for an appointment to pick up your vehicle. At the time of pick up, your estimator will go over the repairs with you and tell you how to care for your vehicle over the next few weeks. The repairs have a warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. (This warranty is for the repairs workmanship and the refinish work. The parts are covered per the manufacturer warranty.)
At this time we will let you know if you have any responsibilities such as any deductibles owed or any other special arrangements that need to be addressed.
