Vehicle Damage Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CALA 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 flashcards as text
When assessing hail damage on a vehicle roof, which measurement tool is most commonly used to quantify individual dent size?
Answer: Dent gauge or hail mapping card
A dent gauge or hail mapping card allows adjusters to measure and categorize individual dent diameter and depth consistently across the repair estimate.
A vehicle sustains damage to its unibody frame rail. What type of repair is generally required compared to a body-on-frame vehicle?
Answer: Structural sectioning using manufacturer-approved procedures
Unibody frame rails require structural sectioning per OEM procedures because improper repairs compromise crashworthiness and safety systems.
Which term describes the condition where a vehicle's pre-loss value is less than the cost to repair it?
Answer: Total loss
A vehicle is declared a total loss when the cost of repair meets or exceeds the vehicle's actual cash value (ACV), making repair economically impractical.
During a damage inspection, an adjuster notices the door gap on the driver's side is significantly wider at the bottom than the top. What does this most likely indicate?
Answer: Underlying structural or body alignment damage
Uneven door gaps typically indicate that the vehicle's body structure or door opening has been distorted, pointing to prior accident damage or current collision impact.
What is the primary purpose of using three-dimensional measuring equipment during a vehicle damage assessment?
Answer: To verify structural dimensions match OEM specifications
Three-dimensional measuring systems compare actual vehicle dimensions to OEM datum points, confirming whether structural components are within tolerance after a collision.
An adjuster is writing an estimate for a vehicle with a damaged plastic fascia that also has integrated parking sensors. What additional consideration is required?
Answer: Sensor recalibration or replacement must be included in the estimate
Parking sensors embedded in fascias must be inspected, tested, and recalibrated or replaced as part of a complete, accurate repair estimate.
Which factor most significantly affects the ACV of a salvage vehicle retained by the owner after a total loss settlement?
Answer: The salvage or retained vehicle deduction based on local auction values
When an owner retains a totaled vehicle, the salvage value—typically determined by local auction data—is deducted from the ACV settlement.