Annerley · smash repairs
Smash Repairs in Annerley
Once your insurer has given you a claim number, the next real step is a written assessment of the damage, because that is the document the insurer works from. Annerley is a short run down Ipswich Road from our Moorooka workshop, so getting the car in for that assessment is easy enough even when it is only just driveable. Ring 0402 723 464 to arrange it.
What a damage assessment actually covers
An assessment is not a glance at the dent. We take the car apart far enough to see what the impact did behind the panel, then itemise parts, panel work, paint and any mechanical repairs into a written quote you can put in front of your insurer.
The part people underestimate is the section on damage they cannot see. A quote that lists only the visible panels will look cheaper and then fall apart later, which helps nobody. We would rather find it at the front of the job than three weeks in.
Then the quote goes to the assessor
The insurer's assessor reviews the quote and decides what the policy covers. Sometimes that is a desktop review from photographs and the itemised quote, sometimes an assessor attends in person. They may query individual line items and we answer those queries directly.
Work does not start until authority comes through, which is the stage where most claims sit quietly for a while. The whole sequence is set out step by step on our insurance claims page.
Ipswich Road and getting the car in
Annerley runs along Ipswich Road, and that road carries a lot of traffic through the junction and down toward Moorooka. If your car is driveable, the trip to Baldock St is short and mostly a straight line. If it is not driveable, ring before anything gets moved.
For cars that have to come off the road, the after-hours key drop means you do not have to wait for opening time to hand the car over. We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 3pm.
Choice of repairer, honestly explained
Under most Australian comprehensive policies you can nominate your own repairer. Some policies restrict it, some vary by the level of cover you hold, and the wording that governs it sits in your product disclosure statement under a heading like choice of repairer.
Read your own policy rather than relying on a phone conversation. We work with all major Australian insurers, so nominating us is not the complication it is sometimes made out to be.
The mechanical half of a smash repair
Annerley cars that come in after a front-end hit often need more than panels. Steering, suspension, alignment and cooling components take the load of an impact and do not always look damaged.
Because both sides of the workshop are in the same building, those checks are part of the repair rather than a second job somewhere else. The smash repairs hub explains how the stages run, and the Annerley page covers the servicing and inspection work we do for this suburb.
What to bring when you drop the car in
The assessment moves faster when the paperwork arrives with the car. Your claim number, the insurer's name, the registration details and the photos from the scene cover most of it, along with the other driver's details if you were given them.
Take out anything you will want during the repair. Toll tags, garage remotes, sunglasses, parking permits and the contents of the glovebox all have a habit of being needed the day after the car goes in. If a child seat has to come out, mention it, because a seat that was fitted at the time of an impact may need replacing rather than refitting.
Leave one key with us and keep your spare if you have one. The car is here for the length of the repair rather than overnight, and a second key at home saves an awkward trip.
Common questions
FAQ — Smash repairs in Annerley
Do I need a claim number before I bring the car in?
No. Plenty of people get the assessment first so they know what the repair involves before deciding whether to claim at all.
How far is your workshop from Annerley?
It is a short run down Ipswich Road to 2 Baldock St, Moorooka. That is our only address.
What do I bring to the assessment?
Your claim number if you have one, your insurer's details, the registration papers and the photos you took at the scene. Bring the other driver's details as well.
Will the assessment be enough for my insurer?
It is a written, itemised quote prepared for exactly that purpose. If the assessor queries a line, we deal with that directly rather than sending you back and forth.
Can I still choose my own repairer if I have already lodged the claim?
Usually yes. Tell your insurer where the car is going and give us the claim number. Check the choice of repairer section of your policy for anything that restricts it.
Someone hit my car parked on an Annerley street and drove off. What now?
Report it to police and to your insurer, and photograph everything including the position of the car. Your cover for an unidentified driver depends on your policy, so ask your insurer what applies before assuming you are out of pocket.
Do you handle European cars?
Yes. All makes and models, including European, diesel, 4WD, fleet, commercial, hybrid and electric vehicles.
How long before I get the quote?
Usually not long once the car is here and the damage has been looked at properly. Complicated jobs that need parts pricing can take longer, and we would rather be a day slower than guess.
Book an assessment
Book a damage assessment for your Annerley car
Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm. After-hours key drop available. All major cards and cash.