If you are involved in an accident or damage your car, we understand that it can be a very distressing and frustrating time. Here at James Alpe we have over 25 years of experience and expertise in ensuring that both you and your vehicle are back on the road as soon as possible.
While your car is with us, it will go through a repair process, restoring it perfectly to its condition before the incident. The following steps explain the process to help you appreciate what is involved.
FIRST STAGE
One of our reception team will book in your vehicle and note all your concerns regarding damage to your vehicle. We have manufacturer approvals for both prestige and mainstream vehicles, and can repair any make or model of vehicle
SECOND STAGE
Once your vehicle has been checked in or delivered to us, our reception team will pass on your details to one of our qualified estimators. They will compile an estimate, which will then be sent electronically directly to your insurance company.
On receipt of the estimate the insurance company will agree the repair process and authorise us to proceed with the repairs.
Some insurance companies will not allow repairers to commence any work without written authority, which may cause a short delay between your vehicle arriving on site and the work commencing.
Should the estimated cost of repairs be close to the current market value of your vehicle, we must wait to hear from your insurance company to assess the vehicle before authorising repairs or deeming it a total loss.
THIRD STAGE
Once we have received authority or the repair costs fall within our self authority limits, the vehicle will be scheduled into the workshops for repair.
FOURTH STAGE
Our in-house parts department will liaise with local suppliers and organise delivery of parts required for the repair to your vehicle, as agreed with your insurer.
Parts typically take 2-3 days to arrive but there is the possibility of some parts being on factory back order with the manufacturer, which could take longer. If your parts on back order we will notify you immediately.
FIFTH STAGE
Repairs will commence. One of our fully trained technicians will remove all the damaged parts of your vehicle along with repairing any parts needed to carry out the repair.
They will notify our engineers of any further damage they find while dismantling the vehicle; at this stage any additional hidden damaged parts will be ordered.
Your vehicle will then be repaired using the latest equipment and materials, to restore it as close as possible to its original condition. It will then be processed through to our paint department, here it will be refinished in one of our low bake ovens, using environmentally friendly coatings.
After the painting, your vehicle will be returned to have the parts refitted and undergo any mechanical work it may require.
SIXTH STAGE
Once the repairs are completed, your vehicle will be washed, leathered and the interior vacuumed. It will then undergo a stringent final quality control check, carried out by our fully trained quality control team.
SEVENTH STAGE
Once all of the above stages have been satisfactorily completed, a member of our reception team will contact you to arrange the return of your vehicle.
EIGHTH STAGE
Upon return we will ask you to sign a collection note to confirm you have received the vehicle back into your care. At this time, if applicable we will collect any payment for insurance excess, betterment or VAT. We regret vehicles cannot be released without payment.
Our reception team will try to keep you informed of your vehicle’s progress through the eight stages of repair, by telephone, email or text messaging.