
      <p>A collision is stressful, even when the damage looks minor. A calm, documented response protects the people involved and gives the insurer and repair facility better information. Use this checklist as general guidance, then follow the current instructions from emergency services and your insurer.</p>
      <h2>1. Put safety first</h2>
      <p>Check for injuries and call 911 when anyone may need medical help, the road is unsafe, or emergency assistance is required. If it is safe and permitted, move vehicles out of active traffic. Turn on hazard lights and avoid standing between vehicles or beside fast-moving traffic.</p>
      <h2>2. Record the scene and vehicle damage</h2>
      <p>Take wide photos showing the position of the vehicles and closer photos of each damaged area. Capture licence plates, road conditions, signs, lane markings, and any debris that helps explain what happened. Exchange the required driver, vehicle, and insurance information. Write down the time, location, direction of travel, and a short factual description while it is fresh.</p>
      <h2>3. Report the claim through the correct channel</h2>
      <p>Report the collision to your insurer and keep the claim number. For an ICBC claim, use the current reporting options and instructions published by <a href="https://www.icbc.com/claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ICBC Claims</a>. Requirements can vary with the circumstances, so rely on the insurer for claim-specific direction.</p>
      <h2>4. Avoid judging damage from appearance alone</h2>
      <p>A scuffed bumper cover can hide absorber, reinforcement, sensor, or mounting damage. A wheel impact can affect alignment or suspension. Uneven panel gaps can indicate movement beyond the visible dent. Do not assume the vehicle is safe to drive when warning lights, fluid leaks, rubbing tires, loose panels, damaged lamps, steering changes, or unusual noises are present.</p>
      <h2>5. Arrange a documented repair assessment</h2>
      <p>Provide the repair shop with the claim number, vehicle information, photos, and a description of any changes you noticed while driving. The first estimate may cover visible damage. Additional damage can become apparent after cleaning, measuring, scanning, or disassembly, and the repair plan may be updated accordingly.</p>
      <h2>6. Ask how the repair will be verified</h2>
      <p>A useful repair conversation covers the required parts, manufacturer procedures, structural measurements where applicable, refinishing, calibration needs, estimated timing, and how the completed work will be checked. Keep copies of the estimate and repair documents for your records.</p>
      <h2>Quick collision checklist</h2>
      <ul><li>Check for injuries and make the scene safe.</li><li>Photograph the scene and every damaged area.</li><li>Exchange and record the required information.</li><li>Report the claim and save the claim number.</li><li>Stop driving if the vehicle may be unsafe.</li><li>Arrange a professional inspection and documented repair plan.</li></ul>
      <aside><h2>Need an in-person assessment?</h2><p>Photos can help us prepare, but an inspection is the best way to confirm hidden damage and the correct repair. <a href="/contact">Send A1 Buller Auto Collision your vehicle details and photos</a>, or call the Burnaby shop at <a href="tel:+16044234524">(604) 423-4524</a>.</p></aside>
    

What to Do After a Car Accident in BC


      <p>Knowing what happens after an ICBC claim can make the repair process easier to follow. Exact requirements depend on the claim and current ICBC procedures, but most repairs move through the same practical stages.</p>
      <h2>Start with the claim number</h2>
      <p>Report the collision to ICBC and keep the claim number and contact information connected to the file. ICBC publishes its current reporting and repair information at <a href="https://www.icbc.com/claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">icbc.com/claims</a>. Bring the claim number, vehicle registration details, and relevant photos when contacting a repair facility.</p>
      <h2>Initial inspection and estimate</h2>
      <p>The shop records visible damage, confirms the areas involved, and prepares the information required for an estimate. Photos are useful for an initial conversation, but they cannot reveal every issue. Lighting, contamination, trim, bumper covers, and tightly assembled panels can conceal damage.</p>
      <h2>Repair planning and authorization</h2>
      <p>A proper plan considers repair versus replacement, required parts, manufacturer procedures, structural measuring, refinishing, scanning, and any calibration associated with cameras or driver-assistance sensors. Work proceeds after the required authorization is in place. The shop should explain what is known, what still needs confirmation, and how changes will be communicated.</p>
      <h2>Disassembly can reveal hidden damage</h2>
      <p>Once damaged parts are removed, technicians may find broken retainers, deformed reinforcement, wiring damage, corrosion protection that must be restored, or structural movement not visible during the first inspection. When the verified scope changes, the documentation and estimate may need to be updated before repair continues.</p>
      <h2>Body, structural, mechanical, and refinishing work</h2>
      <p>The sequence depends on the damage. Structural corrections and measurements come before final panel fit. Mechanical or suspension work may be required after a wheel impact. Repaired and replacement panels are prepared, colour is matched, and refinishing is completed under controlled conditions. Reassembly follows after coatings are ready.</p>
      <h2>Scanning, calibration, and quality checks</h2>
      <p>Modern vehicles may require diagnostic scanning or calibration when a collision or repair affects relevant systems. Final checks can include panel fit, lamps, warning indicators, road behaviour, alignment, finish quality, and the operation of removed or repaired components. Ask which checks apply to your vehicle.</p>
      <h2>Pickup and repair records</h2>
      <p>At pickup, review the completed work, care instructions, warranty information, and any documents supplied with the repair. Ask questions before leaving if a line item or recommendation is unclear.</p>
      <p><strong>Important:</strong> ICBC policies and claim requirements can change. Confirm claim-specific questions directly with ICBC and use this article as a repair-process overview rather than insurance or legal advice.</p>
      <aside><h2>Need an in-person assessment?</h2><p>Photos can help us prepare, but an inspection is the best way to confirm hidden damage and the correct repair. <a href="/contact">Send A1 Buller Auto Collision your vehicle details and photos</a>, or call the Burnaby shop at <a href="tel:+16044234524">(604) 423-4524</a>.</p></aside>
    

How the ICBC Collision Repair Process Works


      <p>Two dents that look similar in a photo may need completely different repairs. The right method depends on the paint, the shape and depth of the dent, access behind the panel, the metal, and whether the damage reaches a body line or structural area.</p>
      <h2>What paintless dent repair does</h2>
      <p>Paintless dent repair, often called PDR, gradually reshapes a panel while preserving the original finish. Technicians work from behind the panel with specialized tools or use controlled pulling techniques from the outside. It can be an efficient choice when the paint remains intact and the metal has not been stretched beyond a repairable point.</p>
      <h2>Good candidates for paintless repair</h2>
      <ul><li>Small door dings and shallow dents</li><li>Some hail damage</li><li>Damage with intact, flexible paint</li><li>Areas that provide workable access behind the panel</li><li>Dents away from badly distorted edges or structural reinforcements</li></ul>
      <p>Location matters. Bracing, adhesive, wiring, intrusion beams, and double-layer construction can limit tool access even when the visible dent seems simple.</p>
      <h2>When conventional body repair is more appropriate</h2>
      <p>Conventional repair may be needed when paint is cracked, the dent contains a sharp crease, corrosion is present, the metal is stretched, or the damaged area must be welded or refinished. The technician restores the panel shape, prepares the surface, applies the correct coatings, matches the colour, and blends or refinishes as required.</p>
      <h2>When a panel may need replacement</h2>
      <p>Replacement can be the safer or more economical choice when a panel is torn, severely stretched, repeatedly damaged, structurally compromised, or cannot be restored within manufacturer guidance. The decision should consider the complete repair, not only the price of the bare panel.</p>
      <h2>Why a photo estimate is only a starting point</h2>
      <p>Photos help identify the general location and severity, but reflections can hide low spots and stretched metal. An in-person inspection lets the estimator assess paint condition, panel access, previous repairs, adjacent damage, and the relationship to sensors or structure.</p>
      <h2>Questions to ask before approving dent repair</h2>
      <ul><li>Can the original paint be preserved?</li><li>Is there access behind the dent?</li><li>Has the metal stretched or creased?</li><li>Will trim, glass, or interior parts need removal?</li><li>Does the repair affect corrosion protection or a safety-related area?</li><li>What workmanship warranty applies?</li></ul>
      <aside><h2>Need an in-person assessment?</h2><p>Photos can help us prepare, but an inspection is the best way to confirm hidden damage and the correct repair. <a href="/contact">Send A1 Buller Auto Collision your vehicle details and photos</a>, or call the Burnaby shop at <a href="tel:+16044234524">(604) 423-4524</a>.</p></aside>
    

Paintless Dent Repair vs. Conventional Body Repair


      <p>Structural collision damage is not always obvious. Modern vehicles commonly use a unibody structure in which the body and structural sections work together. Even when the vehicle still drives, movement at mounting points can affect fit, alignment, tire wear, crash performance, and the way other repairs come together.</p>
      <h2>Common warning signs</h2>
      <ul><li>Doors, hood, or trunk that bind or no longer close consistently</li><li>Uneven gaps around panels</li><li>A steering wheel that sits off-centre</li><li>Pulling, wandering, or a new vibration</li><li>Rapid or uneven tire wear</li><li>Wheels that appear to sit differently in their openings</li><li>Visible buckling, cracked seam sealer, or displaced mounting points</li><li>Wind noise or water leaks that began after the collision</li></ul>
      <p>These symptoms can also have non-structural causes. They are reasons to inspect and measure, not proof of frame damage by themselves.</p>
      <h2>Why wheel alignment alone may not answer the question</h2>
      <p>An alignment measures wheel angles. Structural measurement checks reference points in the vehicle body against specified dimensions. A suspension component, mounting point, or structural section may need attention before a reliable alignment can be completed.</p>
      <h2>How computerized measurement helps</h2>
      <p>A measuring system compares multiple reference points with vehicle specifications. The results help identify the direction and extent of movement, guide correction, and provide a way to check the structure again after repair. The correct procedure depends on the vehicle design, materials, and manufacturer instructions.</p>
      <h2>Repair versus replacement</h2>
      <p>Some structural sections are designed to be corrected within specified limits; others require partial or complete replacement when damaged in particular ways. Heat, pulling, sectioning, joining, corrosion protection, and material-specific procedures must follow the applicable repair information.</p>
      <h2>Do not postpone an inspection when driving has changed</h2>
      <p>If the vehicle pulls, rubs a tire, shows warning lights, leaks fluid, or has loose components, stop and ask whether it should be driven. A prompt inspection can prevent secondary tire or suspension damage and establish what the repair plan actually requires.</p>
      <aside><h2>Need an in-person assessment?</h2><p>Photos can help us prepare, but an inspection is the best way to confirm hidden damage and the correct repair. <a href="/contact">Send A1 Buller Auto Collision your vehicle details and photos</a>, or call the Burnaby shop at <a href="tel:+16044234524">(604) 423-4524</a>.</p></aside>
    

Signs of Frame or Structural Damage After a Collision


      <p>A bumper cover can look like a simple painted plastic shell, but the complete bumper system may include absorbers, reinforcement, brackets, wiring, parking sensors, cameras, radar components, lamps, and air-management pieces. The correct decision depends on everything affected behind the visible surface.</p>
      <h2>Damage that may be repairable</h2>
      <p>Many scuffs, scratches, small punctures, limited cracks, and localized distortions can be repaired when the material and location allow it. A repair may involve reshaping, plastic repair, surface preparation, primer, colour matching, and clear coat. The mounting points and surrounding structure still need to be checked.</p>
      <h2>Reasons replacement may be recommended</h2>
      <ul><li>Major tears or missing material</li><li>Damage across critical mounting locations</li><li>Distortion that prevents correct fit</li><li>Previous repairs that limit another safe repair</li><li>Damage incompatible with the bumper material or manufacturer procedure</li><li>A total repair cost that is no longer economical compared with replacement</li></ul>
      <h2>Hidden bumper damage</h2>
      <p>The cover can spring back after impact while the absorber, reinforcement, brackets, or body mounting points remain damaged. Loose corners, uneven gaps, warning messages, rattles, and sensor problems deserve an inspection. Damage behind the cover may only be confirmed after removal.</p>
      <h2>Sensors and driver-assistance systems</h2>
      <p>Parking sensors, cameras, and radar components need correct position and secure mounting. Depending on the vehicle and work performed, scanning, aiming, testing, or calibration may be required. Painting and repair materials must not interfere with components whose operation depends on the bumper area.</p>
      <h2>Colour matching and blending</h2>
      <p>Paint codes provide a starting formula, but age, environmental exposure, production variation, and prior refinishing can affect the visible colour. Technicians compare variants and adjust the formula before refinishing so the repaired bumper fits the surrounding appearance.</p>
      <h2>What to include with an estimate request</h2>
      <p>Send photos from several angles, including the full bumper, both corners, the damaged area, the gaps beside adjacent panels, and any warning shown on the dashboard. Mention whether sensors, lamps, the trunk, or the hood behave differently. The final repair recommendation should follow an in-person inspection.</p>
      <aside><h2>Need an in-person assessment?</h2><p>Photos can help us prepare, but an inspection is the best way to confirm hidden damage and the correct repair. <a href="/contact">Send A1 Buller Auto Collision your vehicle details and photos</a>, or call the Burnaby shop at <a href="tel:+16044234524">(604) 423-4524</a>.</p></aside>
    

Should a Damaged Bumper Be Repaired or Replaced?


      <p>A fender bender is an informal name for a relatively low-speed collision, often in traffic, a parking lot, or at an intersection. The phrase describes how the incident appears; it does not confirm that damage is only cosmetic. Modern bumper systems, lamps, cameras, radar units, parking sensors, mounting brackets, and body structure can be affected even when the exterior mark looks small.</p>
      <h2>Start with people and immediate safety</h2>
      <p>Check for injuries, move out of active traffic when it is safe and permitted, and contact emergency services when needed. Follow the current reporting requirements for the location and circumstances. If you plan to make an ICBC claim, use the current guidance from <a href="https://www.icbc.com/claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ICBC Claims</a>.</p>
      <h2>What to photograph</h2>
      <ul><li>Wide views of the vehicles and scene</li><li>Licence plates and each damaged area</li><li>Close views from several angles</li><li>Panel gaps around the bumper, hood, trunk, doors, and lamps</li><li>Dashboard warning messages</li><li>Debris, road conditions, signs, and lane markings when relevant</li></ul>
      <h2>Signs the damage may extend beyond a scuff</h2>
      <p>Look for a loose bumper corner, uneven panel gaps, cracked lamps, rubbing tires, fluid leaks, rattles, new warning messages, steering changes, or parking sensors that no longer work normally. A bumper cover can return close to its original shape while the absorber, reinforcement, brackets, or mounting points behind it remain damaged.</p>
      <h2>When not to keep driving</h2>
      <p>Stop and ask for professional advice when the vehicle has a fluid leak, loose or dragging parts, damaged tires, impaired lights, steering or braking changes, smoke, unusual heat, or a safety-system warning. If you are unsure whether the vehicle is roadworthy, do not rely on appearance alone.</p>
      <h2>What happens during a repair assessment</h2>
      <p>The shop records visible damage and checks the relationship between the affected panels and nearby systems. Depending on the impact, the next steps may include scanning, alignment checks, structural measurement, trim removal, or bumper disassembly. Any additional damage found should be documented and added to the repair plan before the related work proceeds.</p>
      <h2>Information that helps the estimator</h2>
      <ul><li>Vehicle year, make, model, and trim</li><li>Where and how the impact occurred</li><li>Changes in steering, braking, noise, or warning lights</li><li>Insurance claim number when applicable</li><li>Clear photos plus your preferred contact method</li></ul>
      <aside><h2>Need an in-person assessment?</h2><p>Photos can help us prepare, but an inspection is the best way to confirm hidden damage and the correct repair. <a href="/contact">Send A1 Buller Auto Collision your vehicle details and photos</a>, or call the Burnaby shop at <a href="tel:+16044234524">(604) 423-4524</a>.</p></aside>
    

Our Blog

What to Do After a Car Accident in BC

How the ICBC Collision Repair Process Works

Paintless Dent Repair vs. Conventional Body Repair

Signs of Frame or Structural Damage After a Collision

Should a Damaged Bumper Be Repaired or Replaced?

What Is a Fender Bender—and What Should You Check?