Repair Estimate Glossary of Terms

A-Pillar

The A-shaped front element of your car’s windscreen, as well as the sides. It is constructed of a robust steel material that can withstand collisions.

Aftermarket or A/M Parts

Non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are aftermarket or A/M parts because lower known or generic companies frequently reverse-engineer them; they are usually of poor quality.

Alignment

Alignment is a computerized technique that restores the appropriate position and arrangement of a car’s wheels and suspension. It also entails adjusting the axles of your automobile, re-centering the steering wheel, and identifying worn-out components (such as suspension and tires) that need to be replaced.

Audanet Generated Times

Audanet Generated Times is an online quoting system that uses OEM Times and follows OEM-approved procedures.

B Pillar

The steel pillar in the middle of your car’s frame. It provides structural support because it is welded to the top and bottom panels. This pillar is absent in several car models, particularly sports cars.

B/Bar

It is a bumper bar put in the front and back of the vehicle.

Blend or Blending

The process of matching a car’s fresh base coat (colour) to the old surrounding paint is known as blending.

C-Pillar

Excluding SUVs and wagons, the C Pillar is the rearmost pillar placed behind the rear door in most cars.

Client Contribution

This is the additional payment to have further work completed and the existing insurance fixes.

D & A

The disassembly and assembly of components and parts for categorized line items on the estimate are D & A.

D-Pillar

The D-Pillar is the car’s rearmost pillar, supporting the rear glass and windscreen on SUVs and wagons.

Denibbing

Denibbing is the process of smoothing off dirt ‘nibs,’ or small bumps, particles, and flaws trapped on the completed surface of the panel.

Dis/Con

Disconnecting and reconnecting electrical components is referred to as Dis/Con.

Environmental Levy

The shop’s waste treatment and disposal fee is called the environmental levy.

Excess Amount

It is the amount you pay your insurance company if you want to file a claim (for example, minor damage) under your policy; it’s the amount you’re willing to contribute to the total repair expenses.

FTFN

The acronym FTFN stands for “Funny Time Funny Money.” It’s a quoting approach that involves inflating or offsetting lower hourly rates, which is typically impractical.

Genuine

These are “branded” parts that come in their original packaging from your car’s manufacturer.

L/H/F

This acronym stands for ‘left-hand front’.

L/H/R

This acronym stands for ‘left-hand right’.

LTAR

It stands for “Luxury Times and Rates,” and it’s a quotation process similar to NTAR. Still, it’s only for luxury vehicles that aren’t on the NTAR vehicle list.

Mechanical Pre-scan/Post-scan and Reset

A diagnostic scan is performed before and after repairs to check that all electronic equipment and systems are operational and that no error codes or malfunctions exist.

NTAR

This stands for New Times and Rates and is a quotation approach that uses a unique online software or system built by insurance companies to arrive at data-driven rates.

OEM

It stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer,” which refers to parts made by or for the manufacturer by an OEM-approved business. These parts are often less expensive than the original parts. Still, they do not bear the manufacturer’s logo or arrive in branded packaging.

R + R

Remove and refit (R+R) is a general labor term that refers to removing and refitting parts.

R/H/F

This acronym stands for ‘right-hand front’.

R/H/R

This acronym stands for ‘right-hand rear’.

Re-feed

Re-feeding entails rewiring the electronic components of removed panels after they have been reinstalled.

RTRM

This is an abbreviation for ‘real-time real money”. It is a more transparent quoting process because actual labor rates, prices, and times are shown.

SMART Repairs

It is a short abbreviation for “Small and Medium Region Repair Technique,” this is a strategic restore procedure that uses specialized tools, products, and techniques to repair a specific damaged area as little as possible without compromising other nearby areas or panels.

Sublet

It is sometimes known as subcontractor labor, and this term refers to work that the body shop must outsource. Mechanical, windscreen, wheel alignment, A/C regassing, and decal application are typical sublet work.

Trim Identifier

This is a four-digit code that identifies your vehicle’s interior specific features and styling. It’s usually found beneath the VIN.

VIN

VIN stands for “Vehicle Identification Number,” which is the unique identifier for your vehicle.