What to do in case of an accident?
Stay calm. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Unless you are in immediate danger, do not move your vehicle before getting pictures and getting a police report. You should get the name of the person driving the other vehicle, their license plates and insurance information. If there are witnesses, try to get their name(s) and phone number(s) also. Use your phone camera to take pictures of the scene, any damage to both vehicles and any other pictures you think will be important.
Do I have to have my vehicle repaired at the insurance suggested shop?
No. In the state of Virginia, you have the right to decide where your vehicle is towed and where it will be repaired. Many insurance companies have direct repair shops but it is ultimately up to you. A high-quality repair shop will work with you and any insurance company to ensure your vehicle receives the necessary repairs, based on manufacturers recommendations.
How the repair process works
The first step in the repair process is having an estimate for repairs written. Sometimes this is done by an insurance adjuster or you can have a qualified estimator complete this step at the collision repair center. Once an initial estimate is complete, the body shop technicians will disassemble the damaged areas to inspect for any additional structural or mechanical damage. The collision center will then work with the insurance company directly to order parts and complete the repairs. All manufacturer required scans and calibrations will be done once the vehicle is repaired to ensure your vehicle is in top working order. A final inspection of the interior and exterior is conducted as the last step to guarantee the highest quality repair.
Why my insurance estimate is different than the body shop?
Insurance companies are only looking at the damage they can readily see when inspecting the vehicle, sometimes in person and sometimes just from images. When an estimate is being written at the body shop, they are able to go behind panels, put the vehicle on the lift and see damage an adjuster may not see upon first inspection. Once your vehicle is in the repair facility however, we will work with the insurance company to make sure everything is done to restore your vehicle back to pre-collision condition and to manufactuers specifications.
Is my vehicle repair under warranty?
At Tidewater Collision Center, all repairs are under full warranty as long as you own the vehicle. For full details, see our warranty policy.
Can you repair my hybrid vehicle?
Yes, our technicians participate in on-going training to stay up to date on the proper repair and safety of all types of vehicles. As a certified repair facility, we have access to all manufacturers recommendations and guidelines to correctly restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition.
Will all my advanced driver features still work correctly after the repairs are complete?
Yes. We are one of the only shops in the area that has our own Advanced Driver Assistance System calibration tool on site. We follow all manufacturer recommendations for testing and calibrating after a collision or repair.