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How do I read a car repair estimate?
How do I read a body shop estimate? I got into a fender bender, and my bumper is pretty severely damaged. I took my car to a shop to get looked at, but I’m not sure how to read the repair estimate.
Phoebe Mah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It may not be fun to pay for repairs, but thankfully, your
bumper
absorbed the damage and the rest of your car is fine. Body shop estimates can look quite daunting if they are long, detailed, and include a lot of car language that’s difficult to make sense of. But don’t worry, I’m happy to help you crack the code!Here is a breakdown of how to read a car repair estimate.
The first section of your estimate likely details basic but necessary information. This includes your:
- Name
- Address and phone number
- All the information about your vehicle
- Insurance information, like your claim number
- Name of the insurance adjuster
- Your deductible amount
- Date of the accident
The middle section likely contains a list of acronyms detailing what or where the damage is, the cost of associated repairs or replacements, and approximately how long each repair will take.
Here are a few common examples:
- A/M: This means aftermarket, which translates to replacing a car part made by a different manufacturer.
- DED: This stands for deductible.
- LT: This refers to the left side of the car.
- R & I: This stands for remove and install. To fix the damage, this entire car part needs to be removed (and sometimes some undamaged parts around it) and installed again to fix the problem area.
If you are ever unsure of how to decipher specific parts of your repair estimate, you can always ask the mechanic or do a quick Google search.
The bottom part of the estimate likely details the cost for labor and the total amount for all of the work. If you have to pay a deductible before your insurance kicks in, it will probably be outlined here, as well. It may be labeled customer responsibility instead of deductible.
Be mindful that not all estimates will be the same depending on the mechanic’s expertise, quality, and service. This is why it is crucial to shop around!
If you are not satisfied with how your insurance company addressed your claim post-accident, consider exploring other options with
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app can help you compare personalized quotes from over 50 top providers like Progressive and Nationwide for free. When you find a better plan, Jerry can help you buy your new coverage and even help cancel your old policy!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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