Repairing cars is quite an exhausting and stressful experience for drivers. Almost everyone has to face this issue more than once in their life. It is important to understand the complexities of the repair process so everyone can experience a budget-friendly experience with their vehicles. In this blog, we will go over the fundamental basics of a car repair process. This includes understanding the time duration of the repair, what can delay it, and how you can accelerate to speed up the process.
Understanding the Timeline of the repair process
Factors Affecting the Repair Process:
There are multiple factors that affect the recovery process. We will go through each of these one by one to gain a thorough understanding:
- Severity of the damage: Depending on the severity of the accident, it depends on how much damage is caused to our car. Some accidents cause minor scratches and some major damages like engine or transmission rebuild. The lighter the damage is been done to your car, the quicker will be the recovery process.
- Type of the car: If you have an imported model, then it will take time to fix it. It also depends on whether it is manually operated or electrical. The recovery process will be much quicker if it is a local model.
- The insurance process: This could make the process daunting if the damage is found during the middle of the repair process. Further, adjuster delays could also hinder the repair of your car.
- Availability of the parts: The repair process can go on for weeks if the parts are not available in the market. This usually happens if an individual has an older model or an imported car.
- Repair Shop’s workload: You might have to wait for some time to get a car repair done if the shop is busier and has a long waiting list.
Average Time for Different Types of Car Repairs
Repairing minor damages can be much quicker and easier in comparison to major damages. If you have a scratch or dents, it can be fixed within 1 day. If your bumper or windshield is damaged, it will be around within 2 or 3 days. In contrast to this, major damages like a full car rebuild or framework alignment can take more than one week or so to repair it professionally. Car specialists have to make sure that every part of your vehicle is functioning and is able to go back on the road.
How Insurance Claims Impact Repair Timelines:
Insurance companies can either speed up or delay the repair of your cars. After your car has been damaged, a claim adjuster has to evaluate the damage to your car before they begin with its repair. Vehicle owners can avoid this step by directly contacting an approved or certified repair shop. The inspection team has to make a rough estimate of the damage too before they begin with the process. Nowadays, virtual inspections are being offered as well to ease out the process. Sometimes, it is even possible that during the repair process, damage is discovered which was not discovered before. This further lengthens the process as a supplement request is required to further proceed to repair your cars.
How Long Different Repair Shops Take?
The type of repair shop you choose can greatly affect how quickly your car is repaired. Typically, dealership service centers provide the highest quality repairs with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. These centers approximately take 5-14 days. Specializing in different brands, they can carry out precise repairs. But the overall process could be slower. Conversely, independent auto body shops repair your process more fastly. Taking about 3-7 days, they provide affordable professional services to fix your cars. However, a setback that could affect the quality depends on the shop’s certifications and experience.
Chain centers such as Caliber Collision would generally use around 5-10 days. Known for their consistency and predictability in service, they may take longer during peak seasons when demand is high. Caliber Collision is credited for fast turnarounds and great integration with the insurance process, something that many find convenient. Ultimately, the type of repair shop will influence not only cost but also the wait time for the car to be drivable.
Managing Delays and Speeding Up Car Repairs
Common reasons that can delay your car repair:
There are many reasons why your car can take longer to get repaired then expected. One of these common reasons is parts on backorder. Shortages of original parts or imported parts can usually add days or even weeks in repairing cars. Car specialists can source aftermarket parts but they are not recommended. Further, the unavailability of certified technicians can cause delays. This limitation arises during high-demand periods like winter or accident seasons.
Other factors that can halt the repair process are global supply chain concerns, ranging from chip shortages to pandemic disruptors. Additional delays result from insurance re-approvals, as repairs are usually stalled when hidden damages are discovered that require extra approval. If there are disputes over insurance, the process can be stalled if the issue is not addressed promptly. Lastly, weather events such as floods, hurricanes, or snow will increase the need for accident repairs in those areas. All of these things slow down what would usually be a very straightforward repair.
How to Speed Up Car Repairs After an Accident?
While different drawbacks can hinder the recovery process of your cars, you can avoid them to experience a hassle-free experience. We have designed some tips that come in handy to speed your car repair process after an accident and save rental costs:
- OPT for certified or insurance-preferred shops so that repairs can actually begin before inspection, as well as quicker use of OEM parts.
- Get authorization to begin post-inspection repair immediately.
- You can call for daily updates or use apps to track the repair process of your vehicles.
- Allow the use of certified aftermarket or remanufactured parts, if original parts are not available.
- Quick claims on insurance through online systems can facilitate speedy approvals.
What to Do While Waiting for Car Repairs?
There are plenty of options to get around while your car is being repaired. You can rent a car since most full vehicle insurance companies provide rental reimbursement. There are some rental companies like that work with insurance companies, creating ease for their clients. If you want to travel somewhere you can go for ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft. They cost less than renting a car. If your repairs are taking more time, carpooling and public transportation would be an even cheaper alternative. You can also check whether your employer offers commuter benefits.
Conclusion:
Car repairs are daunting to deal with and the overall process can be longer than expected. It is important to comprehend the complexities that can hinder the efficiency of your vehicle’s recovery. By taking these factors into account you can cut down on expenses and get back on the road sooner than expected.
