Consumer Info

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CONSUMER INFO

Reynolds understands that the repair process can be overwhelming. We have included brief descriptions common in the repair industry, of the repair process to help you better understand the process and to be better informed.

Adjuster

An insurance company representative responsible for the verification of coverage and settlement of claims.

Aftermarket Part

Any new repair part not produced by the original vehicle manufacturer

ASE

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence - an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through testing and certification of automotive technicians.

Assembly

Two or more related parts of a vehicle that are pre-assembled by the manufacturer and sold under one part number.

Claimant

An individual is a claimant when he or she presents a claim against another party's insurance carrier.

Clear-Coat

One or more coats of transparent (normally urethane-based) automotive paint which is an integral part of modern vehicle finishes. It is the clear-coat which gives current production vehicles their gloss.

Deductible

The amount of a claim that is paid by the insured before insurance payment begins.

Diminished Value

The value established by comparing the pre-accident value of a vehicle, the amount of damage to the vehicle, and the post-repair value of the vehicle.

Estimate

The written determination, made by an appraiser or estimator, upon inspection of a damaged vehicle, regarding the cost required to restore the vehicle to the condition it was in immediately prior to the loss.

Final bill

An itemized repair invoice detailing what repairs were actually performed (not just an estimate of repairs). Included in the itemized statement will be codes designating the type of part used.

Hazardous Waste/Hazardous Materials 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.

I-CAR

Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair - an international, non-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the benefit of the consumer.

Insured

An individual is an insured in relation to one's own insurance carrier.

LKQ

Parts of Like Kind and Quality. Parts other than new manufacturer parts.

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. New factory parts built by the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Paint & Materials

A charge for paint products, and other materials, such as sandpaper and polishing pads, utilized to repair your vehicle.

Paint Matching, Tinting & Blending

These describe various methods of insuring that there is no perceptible difference between the appearance of newly refinished panels and undamaged panels on your repair vehicle.

Primary Impact

The area of the vehicle that sustained the most severe damage.

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.

Steering

Illegal practice whereby a representative of the party paying the bill tries to influence a vehicle owner to take their vehicle to a particular person or body shop for repairs.

Sublet

Contract services performed by an outside company, i.e. alignments, glass replacement, theft recovery, etc.

Subrogation

It is sometimes more 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 is 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 your vehicle is "totaled", the insurance company is, in effect, buying your vehicle from you. Negotiation over the purchase price is completely appropriate.

VIN

Vehicle Identification Number - assigned to each vehicle by its manufacturer to identify the model, year, production sequence, and other vehicle specific information.

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