Find questions relating to ESTIMATES below: 

I’ve just been in an accident.  Should I get a claim number before I take my vehicle to the shop? 

The estimator will require a claim number from your insurance company in order to submit the report so, yes, it is important to report the accident – additionally, the estimator will need to take photos of the damage.  If the accident was minor and a claim may not be necessary, bring the vehicle to us and we can provide a quote for the repair.

If my claim has to go through ICBC, do I have to take my vehicle to the ICBC Centre for an estimate or can I come to Rocky Mountain Collision?

Either is fine because once you have a claim number, you are free to take your vehicle to the facility of your choice for repair.  The biggest difference between the ICBC Centre and RMC is the depth of inspection: we will often remove a panel to determine if the parts behind are damaged, as well, seeing the vehicle itself allows us to gather all the pertinent information to ensure the correct parts will be ordered.

Should I wash my vehicle before I bring it in for an estimate?

No!  Pictures are required in support of the claim and a wash can potentially remove evidence: if the accident involved an animal, for example, evidence of that is important.  Alternatively, if the accident was a hit and run, the estimator knows what indications to look for that will back that type of claim – like paint transfer – and a wash and wax may remove that corroborating proof.

How long does an estimate take and what do I need to bring with me?

Estimate times vary depending on the type and severity of the damage.  Once we are able to look at the vehicle we can give a time approximation but most estimates take 30 to 90 minutes to complete.  Feel free to have a coffee in our comfortable waiting area or if you’re having a busy day, our shuttle service can drop you off and pick you up once the estimate if complete.

Please have your insurance papers and claim number with you, this streamlines the process.

If I get a private estimate done on my vehicle, how long do I have before the quote will expire?

Most private estimates expire 60 days from date written. Please remember that damage left unrepaired may worsen with weather and use, causing inaccuracies in the original estimate.

How much does it cost to get an estimate?

Estimates are free of charge except in certain circumstances:

• If a badly damaged vehicle will not be repaired under an insurance claim, we may charge shop time while determining the necessities of the repair.  This situation will always be discussed with you before the estimate process begins.

Do I have to bring my vehicle to you or is it possible for an estimator to come to me?

The ideal situation is to have the vehicle on-site where we can utilize our facility and tools as required.  We do understand that time can be difficult to arrange for some customers which is why we offer the following:

• If the damage is minimal, we can arrange for an estimator to come to you
• We can drive your vehicle to our shop and complete the estimate, returning it later the same day
• Our shuttle service can drop you off and pick you up if you leave your vehicle with us

Find questions relating to REPAIRS below: 

How long with the repairs take?  

Unfortunately, no two accidents are identical (otherwise our job would be easy!) and once the estimate is complete, it will include a time frame for the repair.  There are a couple of reasons why a repair can take longer than anticipated and despite our best efforts:

• Hidden damage – damage that the estimator couldn’t see while quoting, e.g.: removal of a panel revealed further problems that need to be addressed
• Incorrect parts – while we work closely with our parts suppliers to ensure the correct parts are on hand before we begin any repair, problems can and do occur causing delays with the repair

We work hard to finish on schedule, however, if the repair will take longer for any reason, we’ll contact you and advise you of the situation.

Do you have courtesy cars?

Yes, we have courtesy cars available on a first in, first out basis.  There are several other scenarios we can help with in the event our cars are otherwise engaged, please contact either Jason or Catt in the Body Shop for more details.

Do I need to contact my insurance provider if there are additional or hidden damages?

No, we will take care of that for you.  We will also advise you of the details so you’ll know just what work was performed.

Can I get extra work completed while my vehicle is in for repairs?

Absolutely, we can provide a separate estimate for damage unrelated to the claim and everything can be completed during the same booking.

Will I see a variation in paint colour after the repair?

Almost every vehicle has a manufacturer- issued “paint code”.  This code is used to give us the recipe for the correct volumes of tints to mix together therefore matching the vehicle’s colour.  We use state-of-the-art and environmentally conscious paints, adhering to the products and processes used at the factory level in order to archive the best match possible.

Paint does fade and oxidize over time so to help hide the repair, we will often blend new paint onto an adjacent and undamaged panel, looking to create seamless colour.  This is common practise when working with replacement pieces made of metal; with plastic parts like bumper covers, mud guards and mirror covers, the procedure is not exactly the same.  Due to its nature, painting plastic can often result in a slightly dissimilar colour appearance because of several factors:

• Because plastic dissipates heat at a different rate than metal, drying time is affected.  This can be a key factor to the appearance of finished paint job.
• Because paint takes longer to dry on plastic, any metallic or pearl effects in the paint can settle at different angles which will cause a slight variation in colour.
• Plastic can hold more static electricity than metal causing the same issue as above with metallic flakes.

Warranty – What’s covered and for how long?

It’s simple.  If you feel there is a problem with the completed repair, notify us right away.  We will be glad to assess the situation and do our best to offer a satisfactory solution.  Our commitment is happy customers and our goal is to return your vehicle looking like an accident never happened.

How do I look after my newly repaired vehicle?

Fresh paint needs about sixty days to off-gas and properly cure.  This is why we recommend the following to ensure you won’t need our services again soon:

• If you’re using a commercial car wash, please use a Touchless car wash – stiff brushes and bristles can damage the paint surface.
• Avoid using pressure washers on fresh paint for the first sixty days.
• Washing the vehicle by hand with car wash soap is the best way to prevent scratches.  Never use dish washer detergent!
• No wax for at least two months.  A wax job will trap those gasses between the wax and the paint resulting in a loss of gloss or shine.  That’s no way to treat your new ride!
• Using a scraper to remove ice and snow from your vehicle’s fresh paint is akin to sandpaper on a baby’s skin…
• The acidity in bird droppings can quickly and adversely affect fresh paint.  If you’re “lucky” enough to find the mess while still wet, use a damp cloth to wipe it off; dry droppings, however, need a bit more attention: soak a paper towel with warm water and lay it over the spot until the droppings soften and loosen.  Then, using a second damp cloth, wipe it clean.
• Avoid gravel roads and following big trucks – chipping fresh paint is easier done in the first sixty days.
• Lastly, try to avoid parking under trees which are known to drop sap or sticky fuzz.  In the event there is a spot or two, generic gas line antifreeze makes removal easy.

Other questions: 

Who do I pay the deductible to? What about the GST? What types of payments are accepted? 

Both the deductible and the GST can be paid to Rocky Mountain Collision once the job is complete.  We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Interac, cash and personal cheques.

Business hours? 

RMC is open Monday to Friday, however, we’ll do our best to accommodate should you need to drop off or pick up your vehicle on a Saturday.

How soon can I bring my vehicle in for repairs? When are you currently booking?

Depending on the size of the repair, we may be able to get your vehicle in sooner than later.  Please contact us either by phone at 778-517-8200 or via email info@rockymountaindiesel.com to book.