Vehicle Damage Assessment & Estimation Flashcards
7 cards from real CAIA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Vehicle Damage Assessment & Estimation flashcards as text
What is the significance of the 'total loss threshold' percentage used in many states?
Answer: The repair cost percentage of ACV at which a vehicle must be declared a total loss
The total loss threshold is the percentage of ACV that repair costs must reach or exceed before a vehicle is required to be declared a total loss under state law.
An adjuster inspects a vehicle where the airbags deployed during a minor fender-bender with low structural damage. What is the primary concern?
Answer: Whether the airbag deployment was caused by the insured incident or a pre-existing sensor fault
When airbag deployment seems inconsistent with the severity of the collision, the adjuster must investigate whether a pre-existing sensor malfunction contributed to the deployment.
Which of the following best describes 'diminished value' in the context of vehicle damage claims?
Answer: The loss in a vehicle's market value that persists even after proper repairs are completed
Diminished value refers to the stigma loss — the difference in market value between an undamaged vehicle and a repaired vehicle with a damage history.
When estimating damage to a vehicle's ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) components, what additional step is typically required after replacement?
Answer: Calibration of cameras, sensors, and radar systems to factory specifications
ADAS components such as forward collision cameras, radar units, and lane-keeping sensors must be calibrated after replacement or repositioning to ensure accurate operation.
A vehicle owner claims the damage occurred when a tree branch fell on the roof. The adjuster notes the damage pattern is more consistent with a rollover. What should the adjuster do?
Answer: Document discrepancies, request additional investigation, and potentially involve a special investigations unit (SIU)
When damage patterns are inconsistent with the reported loss, adjusters must document the discrepancy and refer to SIU for fraud investigation before making a coverage determination.
What is the purpose of a 'teardown inspection' in the vehicle damage assessment process?
Answer: Disassembling damaged components to fully expose and document hidden damage before finalizing the estimate
A teardown inspection allows technicians and adjusters to expose hidden damage behind panels and under components that was not visible during the initial surface inspection.
In vehicle damage estimating, what does 'R&I' stand for and when is it applied?
Answer: Remove and Install; used when a part must be removed to access the damaged area and then reinstalled
R&I (Remove and Install) refers to operations where an undamaged part must be removed to access the damaged area and then put back, as opposed to R&R (Remove and Replace).