The Collision Repair Terms
Just like any other industry, the auto body repair industry has its own language and tips. Plenty of drivers do not understand the words used by their auto body repair shop while they are going through the repair process. Here is a list of some of the most common terms heard in an auto body repair shop to give an understanding when you find your vehicle in need of collision repair.
Aftermarket Parts
One of the most common terms one hears in an auto body repair shop is aftermarket parts. This refers to any auto part which was not manufactured by the original manufacturer of the vehicle. The price and quality of aftermarket parts are different, and they are not always the best option for a repair. A good auto shop can tell you when it is appropriate to use aftermarket parts and when it is better to opt for an original part.
Direct Repair Program
In some cases, there may be an agreement in place between your insurer and the auto body repair shop. This is known as a direct repair program. You may find that your insurance provider will issue you with a list of approved auto shops to use. It is important to understand that this is a recommendation only and you are free to choose any repair shop even if it is not on the list.
Exclusion
Insurance can be tricky and not every type of auto body repair is always covered by your insurance policy. When the policy does not include a repair, it is known as an exclusion. Car owners should familiarize themselves with any exclusions in their policy, so there will be no surprises later when repairs are required.
Like Kind and Quality
It is a common practice in the auto body repair industry to salvage parts from other vehicles to use in a different repair. When this happens, the parts need to be inspected thoroughly by both the seller and the repair technician to make sure they are similar enough in kind and quality of the part that it will be replacing.
Remove and Install/Remove and Replace
These next two terms go hand in hand, and you will hear them frequently in the auto body repair industry. The first is Remove and Install which refers to a part which is removed from the damaged vehicle and reinstalled later. The part itself may even be repaired separately if required. The key point is that the original part is replaced. If that does not happen, then it is likely going to be a Remove and Replace which means the removed part cannot be reinstalled or repaired, so instead it is replaced by a new part.
These are just a few of the standard terms one can hear in the auto body repair shop. They will help you have a better understanding of what is going on with your vehicle repair, but do not forget that you can always ask your technician to clarify anything.
