Lane Auto Body Techs-> Collision Repair-> Glossary

Glossary

personal attention and excellence in collision repair

Like most industries, collision repair uses some specialized jargon. Here are some brief definitions to make it easier to understand repairs to your vehicle.

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 totaled 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
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