Insurance & Claims

Adjuster: An insurance company representative who investigates claims, determines coverage, and negotiates settlements based on repair estimates and policy terms.

Appearance Allowance: A specific dollar amount determined by the insurer, paid or credited to a vehicle owner in lieu of a part repair or replacement.

Appraiser: A professional who evaluates vehicle damage and provides an estimate of repair costs but does not handle claim negotiations or settlements.

Betterment: The improvement or added value to a vehicle after repairs, which the policyholder may need to pay for if the new parts enhance the vehicle beyond its original condition.

Claim: A request made to your insurance company to cover the cost of damages.

Claimant: The person who files an insurance claim seeking compensation for vehicle damage or loss.

Deductible: The amount you agree to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance covers the remaining repair costs.

Depreciation: The reduction in the value of your vehicle or its parts over time, often a factor in insurance calculations.

Diminished Value: the decrease in a car's market value after it has been involved in an accident and repaired.

Dispute: A disagreement between a policyholder and an insurance company over claim decisions, such as repair costs, coverage, or vehicle valuation.

Indemnity: The principle in insurance that ensures a policyholder is compensated for a loss but not allowed to profit, restoring them to their pre-loss financial position.

Insurance Steering: When an insurance company pressures or misleads you into using a specific repair shop, often by suggesting that other shops will delay repairs, cost more, or not be covered under your policy. This practice is illegal in many states, including Oregon, and violates consumer protection laws. You have the right to choose any licensed repair facility, and insurers cannot deny your claim or penalize you for that choice.

Insured: The person or entity covered by an insurance policy, entitled to file claims for vehicle damage or loss based on the policy's terms.

Right to Appraisal: A policyholder’s option to dispute an insurance company's damage valuation by having independent appraisers assess the vehicle and determine a fair repair or total loss value.

Liability: Legal responsibility for damages or injuries caused to another person or property, often covered by auto insurance to pay for repairs or medical expenses.

Subrogation: The process by which your insurance company seeks reimbursement from another party or their insurer if they are at fault.

Unethical Claim Practice: Any dishonest or unfair tactic by an insurance company or repair shop, such as lowballing estimates, delaying payments, or denying valid claims without justification.

Total Loss: A situation where the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle’s value, leading the insurance company to declare it uneconomical to repair.

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Estimates & Pricing

DRP (Direct Repair Program): DRP Shops are shops that are under contract with the insurance companies and MUST abide by the requirements of the insurance company. In exchange for insurance companies sending their DRP shops work, the shops will repair the vehicles by the rules of their contract – not by the manufacturer requirements or recommendations. We chose NOT to be under contract with any insurance companies. We feel that we cannot look out for our customer’s best interest and stay within the confines of a DRP contract.

Estimate: A detailed breakdown of the costs for parts, labor, and materials needed to repair your vehicle.

Labor Rate: The hourly cost charged for repair work.

Preliminary Estimate: An initial assessment of repair costs based on visible damage, subject to change if additional issues are discovered during the repair process.

Supplement: Additional repair costs discovered after the initial estimate, often requiring insurance approval.

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Repair & Body Work

Alignment: The process of adjusting a vehicle's suspension angles to ensure the tires make proper contact with the road for safe handling and even tire wear.

Frame Straightening: The process of using specialized equipment to restore the vehicle’s frame to its original dimensions after an accident.

Panel: A section of your vehicle’s body, such as the fender, door, or quarter panel.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR): A method used to remove minor dents without the need for paint or fillers.

Post-ADAS Scan: A diagnostic scan performed after repairs are completed to ensure all ADAS components are functioning correctly and the system is calibrated properly.

Pre-ADAS Scan: A diagnostic scan performed before repairs begin to identify any issues with the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as sensors, cameras, and modules.

R & I (Remove and Install): The process of removing a part from your vehicle and reinstalling it after repairs or painting. This often applies to parts like trim, bumpers, or mirrors.

R & R (Remove and Replace): The removal of a damaged part and replacing it with a new one.

Repair Authorization: Permission granted by the vehicle owner or insurance company to proceed with repairs after an estimate is approved.

Structural Damage: Damage to the vehicle’s frame or structural components, which can affect its safety and performance.

Teardown: The process of disassembling a vehicle to assess the full extent of damage, identify any hidden issues, and determine the necessary repairs.

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Parts

Aftermarket Parts: Non-OEM parts that are often less expensive but may vary in fit and quality.

CAPA Certified: A designation for auto parts that meet the standards set by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA)

LKQ Parts: Stands for "Like Kind and Quality" parts, which are used auto parts that are considered equivalent to original parts in terms of quality, safety, and functionality, often sourced from vehicles that are being dismantled.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): Parts made by the vehicle’s original manufacturer, ensuring compatibility and quality.

Parts Price: The cost of new, used, or aftermarket parts required for the repair.

Reconditioned Parts: Used vehicle components that have been restored to a like-new condition through cleaning, repairs, and reassembling

Recycled Parts: Salvaged components from other vehicles.

Salvaged Parts: Vehicle components obtained from cars that have been deemed a total loss or are being dismantled, often sold for reuse after being inspected for quality and safety.

Used Parts: Previously installed vehicle components that are removed, inspected, and resold for repairs.

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Paint & Finishing

Blend Line: The area where new paint transitions into the existing paint.

Blending: A technique used to match the new paint to the existing paint on the car, ensuring a seamless appearance.

Curing: The process of allowing paint or filler to dry and harden completely.

Feathering: Smoothing out the edges of damaged paint to prepare the surface for repainting.

Masking: Covering areas of the car to protect them from overspray during the painting process.

PPF (Paint Protection Film): A transparent, durable film applied to a vehicle's painted surfaces to protect against scratches, chips, and environmental damage.

Refinish: The process of painting and finishing a repaired area to restore it to its original condition.

Tint (Color Match): A procedure involving mixing toners to match the existing paint color and finish.

Three-Stage Paint: A topcoat that consists of three parts-a base coat, a mid-coat and a clear coat. The vehicle identification number or VIN will identify whether a vehicle has a two or three stage paint finish. A three-stage finish is more expensive because of the additional material and labor.

Two-Stage Paint: Paint colors requiring a base coat (color) and a clear coat.

Vehicle Protection & Safety

Corrosion Protection: A treatment applied to prevent rust and ensure the longevity of the repair.

Hazardous Waste Fee: A fee for disposing of materials like paint and chemicals in compliance with environmental regulations.

Mylar: A durable polyester film often applied as a protective layer, such as on vehicle surfaces to guard against scratches, or used in window tinting for heat and UV protection.