Auto Body
Repair Specialists Big Bear, CA
ESTIMATE AND CLAIM PROCESS
Estimate and Claim Process
Estimate and Claim Process
To help ease you through the repair process that inevitably follows an accident, American Auto Body makes every effort to be sure you understand each step involved in completing the repairs, thus avoiding much of the hassle and frustration. Whether you are going through an insurance company or paying "out of pocket," these are the important steps that you can expect.
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Phase 1: ESTIMATE AND CLAIM PROCESS
- Prepare estimate.
- Owner signs Repair Authorization.
Before we can start the repairs, the owner must sign the repair authorization to allow the Shop to repair the vehicle. - Insurance negotiations/approval completed.
If an insurance company is involved, approval of the estimate must be obtained before the repairs start. The insurance company will also determine if the vehicle is repairable. - Vehicle disassembled and re-inspected.
- Parts ordered/ parts received.
- Supplement damage report written if necessary.
You and your insurance company will be notified if there is a supplement, which would become necessary if hidden damage is discovered during disassembly. The insurance company must then approve the additional cost incurred. - Additional parts ordered if necessary.
- Confirmed completion date given to customer.
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Phase 2: STRUCTURE AND BODY REPAIRS
- Structural and body repairs
The vehicle is measured and brought back to original manufacturers specs with our computerized measuring and straightening systems. - New panels prepared and installed.
- Priming, sealing and corrosion protection reapplied to repaired areas.
- All metal work inspected and determined ready for paint department.
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Phase 3: REFINISH PROCESS (PAINT)
- Vehicle prepped, primed, sanded and sealed.
- Vehicle taped, bagged, masked, blown off and placed in cross flow spray booth.
- Vehicle undergoes multi-step refinishing process.
We use the highest quality water borne paint with our computerized color matching system to ensure that we have no problem matching.
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Phase 4: REASSEMBLY, CLEAN UP, INSPECTION, NOTIFICATION
- Reassembly.
Once your vehicle has gone through the refinishing process, it is time to reattach mirrors, moldings, emblems and other hardware. All the vehicle's systems are checked during this process. - Final clean up.
At the detail department your vehicle is vacuumed, washed and moved to the final inspection. - Inspection.
At the final inspection all aspects of the repairs are checked to ensure that everything is working properly and the vehicle is restored to its pre-accident condition. - Repairs complete and customer is notified.
Customer is notified by phone that the vehicle is ready for pick up.
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Phase 5: DELIVERY OF VEHICLE
- Paperwork and Signature
When you come in to pick up the vehicle, the final repair bill will be explained in detail. We also attach our "Car Care Tip List" and a copy of the warranty.