Glossary
Like most industries, collision repair uses some specialized
jargon. Here are some brief definitions to make it easier to
understand repairs to your vehicle.
- aftermarket part
- Any new repair part not produced by the original vehicle
manufacturer
- appearance allowance
- An agreed compensation from the insurance company for
repairs not performed, sometimes appropriate for
superficial damage.
- betterment
- 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.
- claimant
- An individual is a claimant when he or she presents a
claim against another party's insurance carrier.
- clearcoat
- 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.
- deductible
- The amount of a claim that is paid by the insured before
insurance payment begins.
- hazardous waste/hazardous material charge
- 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.
- insured
- An individual is an insured in relation to one's own
insurance carrier.
- paint & materials
- A charge for paint products, and other materials, such as
sandpaper and polishing pads, expended to repair your
vehicle.
- paint matching, tinting, blending
- 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.
- quality recycled part
- A used part from a salvage yard
- quality replacement part
- A new part sold by someone other than the original
vehicle manufacturer.
- R&I
- 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.
- salvage value
- The amount a salvage yard will pay for your damaged
vehicle. This amount is used to determine whether your
vehicle is 'totalled' or not. (See total loss, below.)
- sectioning
- A repair method in which only a portion of a damaged
panel is replaced. It is sometimes a preferred method of
repair.
- subrogation
- 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.
- supplement
- 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.
- total loss
- 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
'totalled,' the insurance company is, in effect, buying
your vehicle from you. Negotiation over the purchase
price is completely appropriate.
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Dick's Auto Body, Inc.
95 Elmwood Street, Somerville, MA 02144
Voice 617/625-9171 FAX 617/776-8804