Damage Analysis and Estimating Flashcards
7 cards from real CAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Damage Analysis and Estimating flashcards as text
During teardown, the shop finds a cracked radiator support that was not visible during the first inspection. How is this normally handled?
Answer: A supplement is written to add the hidden damage
Hidden damage found after the first estimate is added through a supplement to the original estimate.
Under a total loss formula used in many U.S. states, a vehicle is a total loss when:
Answer: The cost of repair plus salvage value equals or exceeds the actual cash value
The total loss formula compares repair cost plus salvage value to the vehicle's ACV; other states use a fixed percentage threshold instead.
What is 'salvage value' in a total loss settlement?
Answer: The amount the damaged vehicle is worth in its wrecked condition
Salvage value is what the damaged vehicle can be sold for, typically at auction, after the loss.
After a frontal crash deploys the driver airbag, what should the appraiser check in addition to the airbag module?
Answer: Related SRS parts such as sensors, the clock spring, and seat belt pretensioners, following OEM requirements
Many OEMs require inspecting or replacing related SRS parts after a deployment, so the appraiser should follow those procedures.
A claimant argues that their repaired vehicle is now worth less because it has an accident history. This claim is called:
Answer: Diminished value
Diminished value is the loss in market value a vehicle may suffer after a collision, even when it is properly repaired.
Which finding most strongly indicates that a vehicle has been in a flood?
Answer: A silt line and corrosion on electrical connectors under the dash
Silt lines, a musty odor, and corrosion in low electrical areas are classic signs of water submersion.
While inspecting a rear-end loss, the appraiser notices an old, rusted dent on the front fender. How should it be handled?
Answer: Note it as unrelated or prior damage and leave it out of the repair cost
Unrelated prior damage should be documented but not included, because it was not caused by the current loss.