I-CAR - Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair Certified Collision Damage Estimating Questions and Answers

Question 1

An estimator is writing a damage report for a vehicle with a damaged front bumper cover, headlamp, and fender from a front-end collision.
The impact also caused a slight buckle in the A-pillar, even though the pillar was not directly hit.
How should this damage to the A-pillar be categorized?

Accepted Answer

Indirect damage

Answer

Unrelated prior damage

Answer

Direct damage

Answer

Subsequent damage

Question 2

A vehicle's 5-year-old tire with 50% tread wear is destroyed in a collision. The insurance policy includes a betterment clause. If a new replacement tire costs $200, how will the cost typically be handled on the estimate?

Accepted Answer

The insurance company pays $100, and the owner pays $100.

Answer

The insurance company pays the full $200 for the new tire.

Answer

The vehicle owner is responsible for the full $200.

Answer

The repair shop absorbs the cost of the tire as goodwill.

Question 3

When writing an estimate, which of the following operations is typically considered 'included' within the refinish time for a new, undamaged replacement fender according to most estimating system P-pages?

Accepted Answer

Final cleaning and preparation of the panel surface before painting.

Answer

Application of seam sealer to the fender flange.

Answer

Feather, prime, and block of a minor surface imperfection on the e-coat.

Answer

Color sanding and buffing the final clear coat.

Question 4

An estimator is calculating the total refinish labor for a repair that involves painting a new door (3.2 hours) and blending the adjacent quarter panel (4.0 hours). According to standard estimating logic, what is the correct calculation for the blend panel?

Accepted Answer

Calculate 50% of the full refinish time for the quarter panel.

Answer

Take the full 4.0 hours for the quarter panel.

Answer

Deduct an overlap of 0.4 hours from the 4.0 hours.

Answer

Add 1.0 hour for the blend operation.

Question 5

During an initial vehicle inspection, an estimator notices a large, unrelated scratch on the rear bumper of a car that is in the shop for a front-end collision repair. What is the proper procedure for handling this unrelated prior damage?

Accepted Answer

Document, photograph, and itemize the scratch separately, but do not include its repair cost in the main estimate.

Answer

Ignore the scratch as it is not part of the current claim.

Answer

Include the repair of the scratch in the current estimate to provide better customer service.

Answer

Add a small 'Appearance Allowance' to the estimate to cover the unrelated damage.

Question 6

Which of the following is a primary reason for creating a detailed damage report that includes photos, notes, and line-by-line repair operations?

Accepted Answer

To provide a clear, justifiable record of the damage and the proposed repair plan for all stakeholders.

Answer

To order parts before the vehicle owner approves the repair.

Answer

To serve as a legal contract between the vehicle owner and the technician.

Answer

To meet the minimum requirement for vehicle registration after a major collision.