CALA Repair Cost Estimating 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ADAS-equipped vehicle requires recalibration of its forward-facing camera after a windshield replacement. This cost should be:
- Excluded from the estimate as it is a maintenance item
- Included in the estimate as a necessary part of restoring the vehicle to pre-loss condition (Correct answer)
- Billed separately as a mechanical claim outside the collision estimate
- Only included if the customer requests it in writing
Correct answer: Included in the estimate as a necessary part of restoring the vehicle to pre-loss condition
ADAS recalibration after windshield replacement is a required operation to restore safety systems to proper function and must be included in the repair estimate.
Question 2: When estimating the cost to repair a high-strength steel (HSS) component, the estimator should be aware that:
- HSS repairs are identical to mild steel and require no special consideration
- HSS may require specialized welding procedures or replacement per OEM guidelines rather than straightening (Correct answer)
- HSS components are always more cost-effective to repair than replace
- HSS is no longer used in modern vehicles
Correct answer: HSS may require specialized welding procedures or replacement per OEM guidelines rather than straightening
OEM repair procedures for high-strength steel often prohibit straightening and require replacement to maintain structural integrity and crash performance.
Question 3: A loss adjuster finds that a repair shop's estimate includes 'corrosion protection' as a line item. This refers to:
- A rust-proofing service unrelated to the collision repair
- Application of anti-corrosion materials to weld seams and bare metal exposed during structural repairs (Correct answer)
- A warranty purchased from the dealership
- Annual maintenance coating applied to the vehicle's exterior
Correct answer: Application of anti-corrosion materials to weld seams and bare metal exposed during structural repairs
Corrosion protection in collision repair refers to applying anti-corrosion compounds to areas where bare metal is exposed during structural or weld repairs to prevent future rust.
Question 4: When reviewing a repair estimate, the adjuster notices 'clear coat blend' is listed. What does this mean?
- The clear coat is a blend of two different formulas
- Clear coat is applied to adjacent panels to feather the repair area and ensure a uniform sheen (Correct answer)
- The technician will blend the clear coat with the base coat
- Clear coat blending means the shop will not apply clear to the entire panel
Correct answer: Clear coat is applied to adjacent panels to feather the repair area and ensure a uniform sheen
Clear coat blending involves extending clear coat onto adjacent panels to feather the repair edge so the finished surface sheen is uniform across panel boundaries.
Question 5: Which of the following would typically appear as a 'miscellaneous' or 'environmental fee' line on a repair estimate?
- The cost of the parts markup
- Hazardous waste disposal for used fluids, solvents, and paint materials (Correct answer)
- The adjuster's inspection fee
- Towing charges from the scene of the accident
Correct answer: Hazardous waste disposal for used fluids, solvents, and paint materials
Environmental or hazardous waste disposal fees cover the shop's cost to properly dispose of paint solvents, used fluids, and other regulated materials generated during repair.
Question 6: A vehicle with a damaged tailgate has a factory-integrated backup camera. When writing the repair estimate, the adjuster should:
- Exclude the camera since it is an electronic component outside collision coverage
- Include camera replacement and any required module programming or calibration in the estimate (Correct answer)
- Write the camera on a separate property damage claim
- Note the camera but advise the owner to file under their comprehensive coverage
Correct answer: Include camera replacement and any required module programming or calibration in the estimate
Integrated vehicle technology damaged in a covered collision must be included in the repair estimate to restore the vehicle to its pre-loss condition.
Question 7: In estimating software, what does 'parts markup' represent?
- The difference between MSRP and dealer invoice price
- The percentage added above the shop's cost for a part to cover handling, ordering, and profit (Correct answer)
- A penalty fee for ordering incorrect parts
- The manufacturer's suggested retail price printed on the parts box
Correct answer: The percentage added above the shop's cost for a part to cover handling, ordering, and profit
Parts markup is the percentage a repair shop adds above its cost for a part to cover administrative handling, storage, and to generate reasonable profit.
CALA Repair Cost Estimating 5
An ADAS-equipped vehicle requires recalibration of its forward-facing camera after a windshield replacement.
This cost should be: