So, you've been in an accident. What now?

  • Contact your insurance company and report the accident.
  • Your adjuster will take all of the details and try to maintain who is at fault. The adjuster will either waiver or apply your deductible accordingly, once a claim has been made.
  • The adjuster will send a damage appraiser to the collision Shop that your vehicle is at to assess and negotiate the repair damage.
  • When your vehicle has received approval for repair, the shop will contact you to sign a repair order before proceeding with the repairs.
  • Parts are ordered and a body technician is assigned to repair your vehicle.
  • Your vehicle is then sent to paint and prep.
  • The vehicle is then ready for parts assembly and the detail department clean-up.

This procedure can take anywhere from two to seven business days depending on the amount of damage.

Accident DOs and DON'Ts.

In the event of an accident, DO:

  • Stop and turn the ignition off.
  • Call 911 if there are any serious injuries.
  • Turn your emergency flashers on.
  • Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s).
  • If you can, use your cell phone to take pictures of the entire scene, damaged vehicles, and property.
  • Obtain witness names, addresses, and phone numbers.
  • File an official Accident Report with the police. This is the law and it must be done within 48 hours.
  • Notify your insurance company or broker immediately.

In the event of an accident, DON'T:

  • Move anyone that is injured unless absolutely necessary.
  • Discuss fault, responsibility, circumstances of the accident with other driver(s).
  • Drive your vehicle if it seems unsafe.
  • Sign any releases with towing companies, repair shops, or insurance companies that you have not read or don't fully understand.

Know your rights!

Did you know that you have the right to choose the shop where your vehicle is repaired. This is the law.

Don’t tow your vehicle to strangers! If you are in an accident, we recommend that you don’t sign anything on site or without consultation.

When an accident happens, you deserve the best!

Insist on the Finch Collision Centre for all of your repair needs. Rest assured that your vehicle will be restored to its pre-accident condition by the most qualified collision repair and refinish technicians in a state-or-the-art facility, working with the latest tools, equipment, and materials to fix it right. We repair all makes and models.

What is a reportable collision?

The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) required that all collisions where persons are injured, damage is valued at more than $1,000.00 to vehicles or property, or the collision results in damage to any highway property, must be reported to police immediately. Under most conditions, you can meet your HTA obligations by reporting at a Police-Collision Reporting Centre.

The Collision Report Centres are partnerships between the Police Service, insurance providers and private enterprise. The concept of self-reporting collisions is the main function of the Collision Reporting Centres. Drivers involved in property damage collisions MUST report within 24 hours to a Collision Reporting Centre, where a police officer inspects the vehicle damage.

Certifications

  • Frame - Chief Classic - Velocity Measure
  • Spray Booth - Blowtherm Expert
  • Management - Quorum
  • Estimating - Mitchell and Auditex