Blog Post

Understanding the Auto Collision Repair Process

  • By River North Collision Repair
  • 19 Mar, 2025
A body shop specialist using a grinder on the exterior of a car. He is wearing overalls and a blue shirt.

Even minor scratches and dents on your car can lead to severe damage if not attended to properly. When you schedule repairs after an accident, the service will keep your car structurally sound for future drives. Understand the process behind auto collision repair to see how this service could improve your vehicle’s longevity.

Evaluation and Estimate

First, the repair specialists inspect your vehicle closely and identify every area that needs work. Whether it's a door dent or a bumper scratch, they'll note the type of damage and what it’ll take to repair the body. With this, they’ll provide you with a detailed, itemized estimate for the repairs and discuss your options upfront.

Insurance Approval

If you're working with insurance, the shop submits the estimate directly to your provider. The insurance companies will review your claim to determine coverage. They’re here to help you avoid surprises when it's time to pay the bill, so stay in touch with your provider to speed things along.

Structural Repairs

Once the approval process wraps up, structural repair work begins. Without a solid foundation, it may be difficult to repair the damage on the surface. Before replacing the damaged parts, repair specialists focus on restoring the integrity of the frame to meet safety standards.

Body Repairs and Replacement

Next comes fixing or replacing damaged panels, bumpers, or doors. At this stage of the auto collision repair process, technicians attach these new components with precision. The specialist will then buff the surface and prepare it for additional paintwork.

Painting and Finishing Touches

For a flawless coat, technicians color-match the paint to your car’s original shade. The team applies the paint layer by layer, leaving no trace of the damage behind. Expect your car to shine like new after they add these finishing touches!

Final Quality Check

Before handing over your keys, the specialists perform a thorough quality check. They analyze every repair to ensure it meets their highest standards, from panel alignment to the durability of the paint job. Once they feel satisfied with the work completed, they’ll wait for your approval.

After getting into a car accident on the road or in a parking lot, check in with your insurance company to see what kind of repairs they can cover for the damage. If you’re looking for collision repair in Chicago, our team at River North Collision Repair will take care of the damage! Whether you need a paintless dent repair after a hailstorm or bumper repair after a head-on collision, contact our specialists today to get your car looking brand-new again.

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