Crash1 Off Alpine has a 13 - Step Collision Repair Process - There are many steps involved with the repair process. As a general rule, the more damage caused in the accident, the more complex the repair process is. Listed below are the steps for an “average” collision repair.

1) Before We Begin - Before we begin we need you to sign a work authorization that allows us to work on your vehicle, drive it around the shop for repairs and on the road for testing. We ask that you remove your personal belongings from the vehicle, especially from the trunk if we are working on the rear.

2) Parts/Disassembly - In most cases, parts are ordered before the vehicle goes into production. The estimate is given to the technician that has been assigned to repair your vehicle. Damaged parts are removed, and a list is prepared for the Customer Service Representative that details all the hidden damage found at this time.

3) Revised Estimate - The Customer Service Representative makes changes to the estimate based on additional damage that is found and forwards this information to the insurance company. The vehicle owner is called with an update. Many times, additional parts will need to be ordered after the estimate is revised.

4) Structural Repairs - If any damage is found to the inner structure, it is repaired on one of our frame repair machines.

5) Cosmetic Repairs - After removing the vehicle from the frame rack, sheet metal repair and replacement operations are performed.

6) Refinishing/Polishing - All panels that will need to be refinished go through a very thorough preparation process. The outside finish is applied and then baked in one of our two Spraybake downdraft/heated spray booths. Then the exterior of the vehicle is polished as needed to match the original factory finish and texture.

7) Reassembly - The vehicle goes back to the body shop to have trim such as door handles and moldings reinstalled.

8) Mechanical Repairs - Any mechanical operations that are performed by a specialist, such as air bag replacement, or wheel alignment are performed at this time.

9) Detailing - The vehicle is cleaned thoroughly inside and out.

10) Quality Control - Each area that was repaired is checked closely by one of our supervisors to ensure that all work was properly completed. In addition, most repaired vehicles are road tested. If anything is found not operating correctly it is either repaired, or if it is something not related to the loss, the customer is notified.

11) Customer Called - The customer is called to arrange a time to pick up the vehicle. The customer is also called during the repair process to keep them informed as to the status of the repairs.

12) Customer Satisfaction Follow up - The customer is called by one of our representatives approximately 3-5 days after they pick up their vehicle to make sure that they are happy with not only the repair work, but the entire repair process.

13) Customer Satisfaction Survey - The customer is surveyed by a third party company to verify Customer Satisfaction approximately one week after they pick up their vehicle to make sure that they are happy with not only the repair work, but the entire repair process.  

How Long Will My Repairs Take? - We know that you are busy and you need your vehicle back as soon as possible. Our expert craftsmen will do their best to repair your vehicle back to pre-accident condition is a timely manner. But collision repair is an inherently difficult process, and sometimes repairs take a little longer than anticipated. If this happens to you, we ask for your patience and understanding. We are totally committed to top quality work.

Promised Delivery Dates – We will always try to meet our promised delivery dates. However, sometimes there are delays that are beyond our immediate control such as:

• parts that are back ordered
• parts that are delivered wrong
• parts that are received damaged and have to be sent back
• additional damage that is found after road testing
• delays due to obtaining insurance approvals for additional damage

In these cases we will do whatever it takes to expedite the process, but we may miss our promised or revised promised delivery date.

Concerns - If you have a concern after you have taken your vehicle, don’t worry. As we mentioned earlier, collision repair is a very difficult process. Even though we do our best to avoid problems, they do occur from time to time and you can be assured that we will do everything in our power to make sure your concern is resolved quickly and with minimal inconvenience to you. The most important thing is that when we are all done, you are a satisfied member of outside sales team!