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Glossary Of Collision Repair Terms
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Like most industries, collision repair uses some specialized jargon. Here are some brief definitions
to make it easier to understand repairs to your vehicle.
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- Aftermarket
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Any new repair part not produced by the original vehicle manufacturer.
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- Appearance allowance
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An agreed compensation from the insurance company for repairs not performed, sometimes
appropriate for superficial damage.
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- Betterment
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A reduction in claim compensation for a vehicle component which is worn; typically applied to
items such as tires, batteries, and exhaust parts; much like pro-rating.
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- Claimant
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An individual is a claimant when he or she presents a claim against another party's insurance
carrier.
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- Clearcoat
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One or more coats of transparent (normally urethane-based) automotive paint which is an integral
part of modern vehicle finishes. It is the clearcoat which gives current production vehicles their
gloss.
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- Deductible
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The amount of a claim that is paid by the insured before insurance payment begins.
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- Hazardous waste/hazardous material charge
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A charge assessed by many collision repair facilities to dispose of wastes associated with
repairing your vehicle in an environmentally appropriate way. Some insurance companies refuse to
pay this charge.
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- Insured
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An individual is an insured in relation to one's own insurance carrier.
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- Paint & materials
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A charge for paint products, and other materials, such as sandpaper and polishing pads, expended
to repair your vehicle.
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- Paint matching/tinting/blending
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These describe various methods of ensuring that there is no perceptible difference between the
appearance of newly refinished panels and undamaged panels on your repaired vehicle.
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- Quality recycled part
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A used part from a salvage yard.
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- Quality replacement part
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A new part sold by someone other than the original vehicle manufacturer.
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- R & I
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Remove and install. Sometimes parts need to be removed to gain access to repair or replace
damaged ones, or to facilitate repair of the part itself. The part which is removed is reinstalled
on your vehicle.
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- Salvage value
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The amount a salvage yard will pay for your damaged vehicle. This amount is used to determine
whether your vehicle is totaled or not. (See total loss, below.)
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- Sectioning
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A repair method in which only a portion of a damaged panel is replaced. It is sometimes a
preferred method of repair.
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- Subrogation
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It is sometimes most expedient to have your insurance company initially pay to repair your
vehicle and let them fight with the offending party's insurance over issues of fault. When one
insurance company pursues another for payment, it is termed subrogation.
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- Supplement
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An additional amount paid to settle a claim. More often than not, it's impossible to identify
all damage to your vehicle until it's disassembled. A supplement is a detailing of the repair
charges for additional damage found after repairs are begun.
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- Total loss
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It's imprudent to repair a vehicle if the total cost of repair exceeds the value of the repaired
vehicle. Factored into the decision to total a vehicle are the anticipated cost of repairs, rental
charges, if applicable, and salvage value. If you vehicle is totaled, the insurance company is, in
effect, buying your vehicle from you. Negotiation over the purchase price is completely
appropriate.
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