What to do after your car has been in an accident.
- Stop your vehicle and stay at the scene.
- Help anyone who has been hurt
- Call your local traffic enforcement authority
- Get the details (this is very important)
Ensure that you get the following information from the other party:
Full names
ID number
Vehicle registration
Physical address
Cellphone number or any other contact details
Insurance provider details (policy number and company name)
Make, model and colour of the other vehicle
Date and time of the accident
Details of any eyewitnesses
(Taking photographs of the scene is very important to share with your insurance provider) - Report the accident to the South African Police Service, if they arrive as the scene, don’t move anything until they say you may. Ensure that you get a case/AR accident report number.
- Inform your insurance provider or broker of the accident within 24 hours.
- Await approval from your insurance, once approved an assessor will be appointed to assess the damage to your vehicle and inform you of the authorised motor body repairer where you will book in your vehicle for repairs.
What are the cost for repairs?
Repairing the body of a motor vehicle is a complex process and the damage to one vehicle is not the same for another. Repairs need to be assessed individually to determine the extent of the damage and the necessary replacement parts that need to be ordered. To receive a quote for the damage to your vehicle you have one of two options available.
- You can drive in for a quote between 10:00 AM and 16:00 PM Monday – Friday.
- You can request an online quote by providing us with all the details via our online quote form found on the Home page of our website.
What am i being quoted for?
- Blending
Blending is the process gradually feathering out the new paint and clear cost from the repaired area onto the adjacent panels. This is done to ensure there is no noticeable colour difference between your repaired or replaced panels and the rest of your vehicle.
Blending is an industry norm and is warranted due to variation in colour of your vehicle and the colour codes we receive from the factory. - Paint
The cost of paint is divided into 2 components:
1. Cost of paint and materials
2. Cost of labour from preparation to spray painting by our qualified spray painter. - Labour
The cost of labour for panel beating/repairing of the damaged areas by our qualified panel beaters. - Stripping and assembling
Stripping involves the removal of the damaged panels to either replace or repair them and further investigation to make sure there is no additional damage which we could not see from the surface during the quoting process.
Assembling involves the reassembling of your after the repairs have been carried out or when damaged parts have been replaced.
Both f these functions are done by our qualified panel beaters. - Outwork
This includes specialised services that we do not provide ourselves but are essential to the repair of your vehicle. For example, if we have to remove the vehicles windscreen and install it again after the repair has been completed. - Parts
This is the cost of parts that require replacing. We generally quote on OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts, but can supply quotes on alternative or used parts once a quote has been accepted.
How much control do i have over where my vehicle is repaired?
As the customer you have complete say in where you vehicle is repaired!
Currently Dent Magic has approval to work on Mazda, Renault, and Hyundai vehicles that are still under warrantee – which means that your vehicle will stay under warrantee after we have carried out repair work on your vehicle.
We are also proud partners of Santam, Hollard, Momentum, Old Mutual and BRYTE insurance.
When do i book my vehicle in for repairs?
Insurance: Once the repair quote has been accepted by your insurance provider, one of our friendly consultants will contact you to schedule your vehicle check in.
Private: Once you have informed us of the acceptance of the repair quotation, one of our friendly consultants will contact you to schedule your vehicle check in.
How do i track the repair process?
Once your vehicle is checked in you will receive a link via SMS, tap this link which will take you to a third-party website called AUDAWATCH. This is where you will be able to track the progress of your vehicle during the repair process.
How will i know when my vehicle is ready to be collected?
You will be notified via SMS by the AUDUWATCH system or you will receive a telephonic call from one of our consultants the moment you vehicle is ready for collection.
What if i am not able to go without my vehicle for the duration of the repair process?
Depending on the type of insurance cover you have, your insurance provider can assist you with vehicle hire that you can collect from our premises when you book in your vehicle. Please enquire from your insurance provider for further assistance.
Alternatively, you may enquire from the following vehicle rental providers:
AVIS
Budget
Woodford
Europcar
Hertz
SANI