PDR PDR Vehicle Damage Documentation & Insurance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a PDR supplement request submitted to an insurance company?
- To request additional payment for damage discovered after the initial estimate was approved (Correct answer)
- To reduce the approved claim amount
- To cancel the repair authorization
- To request a replacement vehicle
Correct answer: To request additional payment for damage discovered after the initial estimate was approved
A supplement covers damage found during the repair that was not visible during the initial inspection and not included in the original approved estimate.
Question 2: Which type of lighting is most effective for documenting dent depth in photographs for insurance purposes?
- Raking or sidelight that casts shadows to reveal surface contour (Correct answer)
- Direct overhead flash photography
- Indoor fluorescent lighting only
- Natural cloudy-day light from directly above
Correct answer: Raking or sidelight that casts shadows to reveal surface contour
Raking light creates shadows that visually define dent depth and profile, making damage severity clear in still photographs for adjusters.
Question 3: When a PDR technician disagrees with an insurer's approved repair amount, what is the correct escalation path?
- Submit a written supplement with photos and a line-item breakdown to the adjuster (Correct answer)
- Refuse to begin work immediately
- Call the customer to complain about the insurer
- Accept the lower amount to avoid conflict
Correct answer: Submit a written supplement with photos and a line-item breakdown to the adjuster
A documented supplement with visual evidence and specific line items gives the adjuster the information needed to reconsider and approve additional funds.
Question 4: What does 'betterment' mean in the context of an insurance PDR claim?
- A deduction applied when a repair improves the vehicle beyond its pre-loss condition (Correct answer)
- An additional payment for exceptional repair quality
- A bonus paid to the technician by the insurer
- A fee charged for rush repairs
Correct answer: A deduction applied when a repair improves the vehicle beyond its pre-loss condition
Insurers apply betterment deductions to prevent policyholders from profiting from a claim when the repair results in a net improvement over the vehicle's pre-loss state.
Question 5: Why is it important to use a Pointfix board or reflection tool when photographing hail damage for an insurance claim?
- It reveals all dents by reflecting a grid pattern across the panel surface (Correct answer)
- It measures paint thickness automatically
- It calculates the repair cost automatically
- It verifies the vehicle identification number
Correct answer: It reveals all dents by reflecting a grid pattern across the panel surface
A reflection board projects a grid onto the panel surface, making even shallow hail dents visible and countable for accurate claim documentation.
Question 6: What information must be included in a PDR invoice submitted to an insurance company?
- Vehicle VIN, claim number, panel locations, dent count/size, labor rate, and technician name (Correct answer)
- Only the total repair cost
- The customer's insurance policy number only
- A list of tools used
Correct answer: Vehicle VIN, claim number, panel locations, dent count/size, labor rate, and technician name
Insurers require detailed documentation to verify the work aligns with the approved claim, so all vehicle, damage, and technician details must be itemized.
PDR PDR Vehicle Damage Documentation & Insurance 1
What is the primary purpose of a PDR supplement request submitted to an insurance company?