How to Read a Repair Estimate

A collision repair estimate can look like a wall of abbreviations and line items. Once you know the structure, it becomes readable, and reading it is worth your time: the estimate is the plan for what will happen to your vehicle. Here is how to make sense of one.

The header

The top of the estimate identifies you, your vehicle (year, make, model, and identification number), the insurance claim number if one applies, and the shop. Check this section for accuracy first, because errors here follow the paperwork everywhere.

The line items

The body of the estimate lists operations, one per line. Each line typically shows the part of the vehicle involved, the operation to be performed, labor time, and parts cost. The key distinction is between repairing and replacing:

Repair lines mean the damaged component will be straightened, sectioned, or refinished rather than replaced. Labor hours indicate how much work is expected.
Replace lines mean a new component will be installed. The line shows the part price and the labor to install it.
Refinish lines cover paint work, usually measured in labor hours per panel.
Additional operations cover things like recalibrating sensors, wheel alignment, or restoring corrosion protection.

Parts types

Estimates label where parts come from. New original-equipment parts come from the vehicle manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are made by other companies. Recycled parts come from salvaged vehicles. Each has a place, but you are entitled to know which is being used on your vehicle and to ask why. If the labels are unclear, ask the estimator to point them out.

Supplements

Estimates are written before the vehicle is fully disassembled, so hidden damage is often found once work begins. Additional findings are documented in a supplement, which amends the original estimate and goes through the same approval process. Supplements are normal. What matters is that they are explained to you and documented in writing.

Questions worth asking

Which lines restore safety systems, and how will they be verified?
Which parts are new original-equipment, and which are not?
What happens if hidden damage is found?

A professional shop welcomes these questions. For help choosing that shop, see our guide for drivers.