What’s the secret behind a high-end collision shop?
“The Collision Repair Process” video details the 12 steps to returning your vehicle to you in showroom condition. The secret? It’s the highly-skilled, talented and professional people taking care of your vehicle at each step along the way.
Watch as the Today’s Collision team displays their expertise and dedication from the moment you are in a car accident until the moment you drive off the lot.
Today’s Collision Repair Centers has been repairing vehicles for over 35 years, and we’ve learned that helping YOU understand the steps we take to repair your vehicle, helps US communicate with you along the way. Today’s Collision Owner, Bobby Cobb, walks you through the steps, providing an explanation of how your car travels through the shop on its way back to you!
Throughout every step of our Repair Process, you will have access to our team of knowledgeable Customer Service representatives, who will assist you in completing all the necessary paperwork and communicate directly with your insurance company. Our team will ensure your repair experience is as stress-free as possible.
Initial Estimate (Detailed Information)
After an accident, the first step to repairing your vehicle is to obtain an initial estimate of the damage, which can be obtained in one of the following ways, depending on your personal situation.
Self-pay (You will be paying out-of-pocket for the repairs): Please call our office to make an appointment for an evaluation. One of our estimators will review the entire vehicle with you, explain the damages, and provide you with an initial estimate of costs based on the visible damage. Estimates are provided within 48 hours of evaluation. Customers should note that once the vehicle is disassembled, if further damage is discovered, additional parts may be needed, and the cost of repairs could change.
Insurance Claim: If the cost of your vehicle’s repairs will be paid through an insurance claim, the initial estimate will need to be created by the insurance company prior to bringing your vehicle to Today’s Collision. This can be done either through a photo estimate (submitting a photo of the damage to the insurance company) or a field inspection (insurance agent inspects the vehicle in-person.) Once this is complete, please call our office to make an appointment for an evaluation at one of our shops, where we will review the damage with you, discuss the needed parts, determine what can be pre-ordered and set up a date for your repair appointment.
Tow-in: Please call our office prior to having your vehicle towed to the shop. Typically, we can review photos of your damage and give you an idea of scheduling based on the damage, and provide you with advice on a move-forward plan. Based on limited space, our locations are unable to accept unscheduled towed-in vehicles.
Hover over the hotspots below for more information.
(On mobile device, information is listed below graphic.)
1 – Initial Estimate:
After an accident, the first step to repairing your vehicle is to obtain an initial estimate of the damage, which can be obtained in one of the following ways, depending on your personal situation.
Self-pay (You will be paying out-of-pocket for the repairs): Please call our office to make an appointment for an evaluation. One of our estimators will review the entire vehicle with you, explain the damages, and provide you with an initial estimate of costs based on the visible damage.
Insurance Claim: If the cost of your vehicle’s repairs will be paid through an insurance claim, the initial estimate will need to be created by the insurance company prior to bringing your vehicle to Today’s Collision.
Tow-in: Please call our office prior to having your vehicle towed to the shop. Typically, we can review photos of your damage and give you an idea of scheduling based on the damage, and provide you with advice on a move-forward plan. Based on limited space, our locations are unable to accept unscheduled towed-in vehicles.
2 – Pre-Scan and Pre-Alignment:
Once your vehicle arrives at our facility, we will run a series of pre-repair diagnostics, which includes a complete ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) scan. ADAS is responsible for many of the safety and warning features in your vehicle, including blind spot sensors, cameras, lane departure systems, forward collision warning and more. The proper functioning of these safety and driver-assist systems could have been compromised as a result of the collision. If necessary, we will perform a four-wheel alignment check and also determine if the vehicle has possible suspension damage.
3 – Disassembly
Our experienced technicians begin to disassemble the damaged areas of your vehicle, by following strict OEM procedures. They have been trained by the manufacturer on the proper way to disassemble the vehicle and what to specifically look for when doing so. During this process, hidden or internal damage that was not previously visible, or was missed on the original assessment is often found. Additionally, we will determine if there are any other necessary parts required to complete the repairs.
We complete a thorough blueprinting of the repair requirements needed to return your vehicle back to OEM specifications. This includes researching all required OEM repair procedures, determining necessary tools and equipment, and finalizing the parts list.
Depending on the damage to your vehicle, this process can take 1-3 days to complete.
4 – Supplemental Estimate
If, during the disassembly stage, additional damage is found, our estimators will rewrite the repair requirements needed to repair your vehicle back to pre-accident condition, and produce a new appraisal, or, “Supplemental Estimate,” and communicate the changes to your insurance company. We will negotiate the repairs on your behalf with the insurance company. While some insurance companies respond quickly, others can take 7 – 14 business days to respond. Unfortunately, until we receive a response from the insurance company, we are unable to move forward with the vehicle’s repairs.
Frequently, this stage of the repair process can be what stalls our entire production line. Once a disassembled vehicle is within the “repair path” in our shop, waiting for a revised estimate approval, it can not only delay the repair schedule for that vehicle, but also all the vehicles next in line. We do our best to expedite this process.
5 – Parts Ordering & Verification
A complete repair order, detailing both the parts and labor requirements needed to complete the repairs, has now been established. Any previously, pre-ordered parts that are currently on-site for your vehicle’s repairs are verified and matched to the damaged parts by the Parts Manager. The secondary order for additional parts discovered during the disassembly process is placed. While in most cases, parts arrive in a reasonable amount of time, occasionally, we can experience back orders on certain makes and models. If this occurs, you will be notified of any expected delays. All parts undergo quality inspection upon arrival.
6 – Structure Repair
In the structural repair phase, your vehicle will be measured on the most advanced equipment in the industry. Our technicians utilize a computer-based measurement system or an approved OEM JIG system to ensure the structure of the vehicle is restored to factory specifications.
This may also include replacing any necessary welded or bonded internal or external panels and components following required OEM repair replacement procedures.
7- Body Repair
The Body Repair Department replaces all bolted, damaged exterior panels, and all metal finishing that may be required. This includes repairing all dents and scratches. Sheet metal is installed and aligned. Our factory-trained body technicians follow strict quality guidelines to ensure thorough and accurate body work. Once approved by the Master Technician, your vehicle is prepared for the Paint Department.
8 – Paint Prep
Paint Preparation is a critical step in the refinishing process of every vehicle.
- Any new parts will be prime-sealed, and jamb-colored (i.e. the inside-facing side of the part will be color-matched to the vehicle.)
- Any repaired panels on the vehicle will be primed and sealed
- These panels will need to cure for 24 hours.
- Once the sealing is complete, any pre-paint assembly (if necessary) will take place before the entire vehicle can move into the paint process. (Any new panels will be installed onto the vehicle.)
- Any needed sanding and final preparatory work will be completed, and your vehicle will be placed into the paint booth queue.
This process can take 1-2 days to complete.
9 – Paint
Your vehicle is one step closer to perfection and is ready for painting!
- Our Paint Department technicians prepare test spray-out panels to verify an exact factory paint match for a flawless finish.
- Your vehicle will be masked completely to protect undamaged parts of the vehicle from over-spray contamination.
- Your vehicle will enter our Downdraft Spray Booth where the technician will then paint your panels.
- The vehicle is cured in the bake oven for the recommended necessary time for curing the paint.
- There is a 24-hour “set” time after the paint has cured, before we can move the vehicle on to the next step.
- Once completed, our production team will then inspect the repairs and give approval to move the vehicle to the reassembly area.
This process can take 1-2 days to complete.
10 – Reassembly
Once the vehicle and parts have completed the paint process, your vehicle enters into the Assembly Area, where final moldings and detail pieces are replaced. All of the vehicle’s systems are checked for proper operation during this process.
Depending on the repairs completed on your vehicle, this process can take 1-3 days.
11- Calibration & Testing
Once your vehicle is reassembled, our technicians will conduct a rigorous quality inspection. We utilize the most advanced technology in the industry to calibrate and test your vehicle to ensure both structural and operational integrity. A post-repair diagnostic ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) scan will help us clear any indicative codes remaining. We will also perform any needed ADAS calibrations at this time. Your vehicle will be road-tested to validate that all systems and equipment are functioning properly.
12 – Quality Control & Detail
Our Quality Control review occurs at this stage, which includes a final inspection by our technicians to ensure that the vehicle is restored to its pre-accident condition. Your vehicle is then thoroughly cleaned and washed.
Once your vehicle has been inspected by our team, it is ready to be returned to you. Our Quality Control Department reviews its checklist with you as you inspect your vehicle. You are provided with the final paperwork and lifetime warranty information by our Customer Service Team. At Today’s Collision, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and incomparable quality repairs. We are delighted to return your vehicle in show room condition, and hope to have made the repair process a stress-free experience for you!
