PDR PDR Vehicle Damage Documentation & Insurance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a DRP (Direct Repair Program) in the context of PDR and auto insurance?
- An agreement where an insurer refers customers directly to approved repair shops that meet their standards (Correct answer)
- A government program for hail damage relief
- A discount program for fleet operators
- A PDR certification pathway
Correct answer: An agreement where an insurer refers customers directly to approved repair shops that meet their standards
DRP agreements give technicians a steady flow of insurer-referred customers in exchange for meeting the insurer's pricing, quality, and documentation standards.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes an 'actual cash value' (ACV) determination on a hail-damaged vehicle?
- The vehicle's market value immediately before the loss, used to determine if it is a total loss (Correct answer)
- The cost of all PDR repairs needed
- The replacement cost of a new equivalent vehicle
- The trade-in value offered by a dealership
Correct answer: The vehicle's market value immediately before the loss, used to determine if it is a total loss
ACV is the fair market value just before the damage occurred; if repair costs exceed ACV, the insurer may declare the vehicle a total loss instead of paying for repairs.
Question 3: What is the standard practice when a PDR technician finds that a dent has a small paint chip at its center?
- Document it, note it on the estimate, and advise the customer it requires conventional touch-up or blend in addition to PDR (Correct answer)
- Proceed with PDR only and ignore the chip
- Reject the entire job due to the paint chip
- Apply touch-up paint without telling the customer
Correct answer: Document it, note it on the estimate, and advise the customer it requires conventional touch-up or blend in addition to PDR
Paint chips cannot be corrected by PDR alone, so documenting and disclosing them ensures the customer understands the full scope and additional costs.
Question 4: During a hail claim, what does 'dent matrix' documentation refer to?
- A panel-by-panel grid recording the number, size, and severity of hail dents for the adjuster (Correct answer)
- A software system for scheduling repairs
- A list of approved PDR tools
- A type of reflective lighting panel
Correct answer: A panel-by-panel grid recording the number, size, and severity of hail dents for the adjuster
A dent matrix gives the adjuster a systematic, countable record of all hail impacts per panel, supporting an accurate and defensible repair estimate.
Question 5: What does 'subrogation' mean in the context of a PDR insurance repair?
- The insurer's right to recover claim costs from the at-fault third party after paying the policyholder (Correct answer)
- A penalty for late repair completion
- A type of repair authorization
- The customer's right to choose any shop
Correct answer: The insurer's right to recover claim costs from the at-fault third party after paying the policyholder
After paying a claim, the insurer may pursue the at-fault party to recoup costs; this process is called subrogation and does not directly affect the PDR technician.
Question 6: What is the significance of a 'non-OEM' parts notation on a PDR insurance estimate?
- It indicates the insurer is specifying aftermarket replacement parts, which may affect a vehicle owner's decision (Correct answer)
- It means PDR is not required
- It exempts the technician from warranty obligations
- It requires the technician to use only hand tools
Correct answer: It indicates the insurer is specifying aftermarket replacement parts, which may affect a vehicle owner's decision
Non-OEM parts are aftermarket alternatives; vehicle owners should be informed because they may negotiate for OEM parts, affecting total claim cost.
PDR PDR Vehicle Damage Documentation & Insurance 2
What is a DRP (Direct Repair Program) in the context of PDR and auto insurance?