After a Collision: What Vancouver Drivers Should Check

A minor collision does not always mean obvious damage. A parking lot impact, a brush against a post, a runaway shopping cart -- these can all cause damage that is easy to miss in the immediate aftermath. Here is what to check after any impact, and when to get professional help.

What to Check Right After Any Impact

After any impact, the first step is a methodical inspection. Walk around the entire vehicle in good light. Check the bumper corners, door edges, side mirrors, and lower body panels -- these are the areas most likely to sustain damage in low-speed impacts. Run your hand along painted surfaces: a dent that is invisible to the eye is often palpable to the touch. Check glass for any crack or stress line that may have started from an impact. Inspect wheel faces for curb rash or impact deformation. Check that all panels open and close properly -- a misaligned door or boot lid can indicate structural impact.

Take photos of any visible damage immediately, from multiple angles. This creates a record for insurance purposes and helps a body shop assess the scope of work before you arrive.

Paintless Dent Repair for Minor Dings

Paintless dent repair, or PDR, removes minor dents without repainting. It works by accessing the panel from behind and applying controlled pressure to push the metal back into shape. PDR is effective for small to medium dents where the paint surface is unbroken. It is fast and avoids the colour-matching complexity of a respray. The limitation is panel access -- some dent locations are behind reinforcements and cannot be reached with PDR tools.

If the impact has cracked or lifted paint, PDR is not appropriate -- a respray or panel replacement is the correct repair path.

Checking PPF and Ceramic Coating Damage

If your car has paint protection film or ceramic coating, assess whether the impact damaged the film or coating, or whether it went through to the paint underneath. PPF that has been punctured or deeply scored needs replacement in the affected area. The film is designed to be replaceable panel by panel. If the impact went through the PPF to the paint, the paint will need assessment separately.

Ceramic coating does not absorb impact damage. If your coated car has been hit, the coating may be chipped at the impact point and needs repair separately from the paint. JRS Auto Customs can assess PPF and coating damage and advise on whether localised repair is possible or full reapplication is needed.

Alignment and Structural Check

Any impact sufficient to shift a bumper or deform a panel may have affected the alignment. A misaligned panel gap is visible but structural shifting is not. If the impact was at speed or involved the chassis, a professional alignment check at a body shop is warranted before driving long distances. Persistent pulling, vibration at speed, or a changed steering feel after an impact are signs of frame or suspension involvement that need professional assessment.

When to File an Insurance Claim

The decision to file a claim depends on the repair cost relative to your deductible and the impact on your premiums. For minor damage below the cost of the deductible, a claim is not financially appropriate. Document the damage thoroughly and get a written assessment before deciding. An ICBC assessment is free and gives you a professional scope of damage before you commit to a repair path.

What JRS Auto Customs Can Help With

JRS Auto Customs handles paint correction, PPF assessment and repair, colour change wraps, and alloy wheel repair -- all of which may be relevant after an impact. The shop can provide a damage assessment before you commit to a repair path, and can coordinate with body shops for full respray work if needed.

Contact JRS Auto Customs for a post-collision assessment.