CAADE Vehicle Damage Assessment 4

Question 1

When appraising a total loss vehicle, Actual Cash Value (ACV) is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The cost to replace the vehicle with a comparable one in the same pre-loss condition in the local market

Answer

The original MSRP minus accumulated depreciation tables

Answer

The remaining loan balance on the vehicle

Answer

The insured's stated value at policy inception

Question 2

A high-strength steel (HSS) rocker panel that has been bent in a collision should be:

Accepted Answer

Replaced because HSS cannot be safely straightened after yielding

Answer

Heated and reshaped to factory contour

Answer

Sectioned and welded using standard MIG wire

Answer

Reinforced with weld-through primer and structural adhesive only

Question 3

Which documentation is essential when writing a supplement for additional damage found during teardown?

Accepted Answer

Photographs of the newly discovered damage with part numbers and updated labor times

Answer

A copy of the original police report

Answer

A signed statement from the vehicle owner only

Answer

The original estimate without changes

Question 4

When a vehicle's airbag system deploys, which component must always be replaced even if it shows no visible damage?

Accepted Answer

The clockspring (spiral cable)

Answer

The steering column shaft

Answer

The seat tracks

Answer

The engine control module

Question 5

An appraiser is evaluating a rear-end collision. Which measurement point is checked to identify if the rear torque box has been pushed forward?

Accepted Answer

Distance from the rear strut tower to a center reference point

Answer

Rear door gap measurement

Answer

Rocker panel length on both sides

Answer

Trunk lid opening width

Question 6

According to industry estimating guides, 'refinish overlap' discounts apply when:

Accepted Answer

Adjacent panels are painted at the same time, reducing setup and blending steps

Answer

Two adjacent panels are both undamaged

Answer

A single panel requires more than one coat of clear

Answer

The vehicle is a commercial fleet unit

Question 7

Which condition indicates that a vehicle's unibody has sustained 'mash' damage?

Accepted Answer

Compression of the structure along its longitudinal axis shortening its overall length

Answer

A side rail that has bent laterally outward

Answer

A vertical buckle in the A-pillar

Answer

Rotation of the frame rails relative to each other