Aftermarket parts - automobile replacement parts not made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These parts may be manufactured to standards that may or may not meet the quality of the OEM parts. Some insurance companies call these competitive auto repair parts (CARP). See also OEM parts, LKQ parts, replacement parts, used parts, recycled parts, salvage parts.
Automotive recycler – a business that takes in and stores wrecked, damaged, or abandoned vehicles including those totaled by insurance companies. The recycler dismantles the vehicle to sell the parts to body shop or consumers or to sell them as scrap metal. Also called a junkyard, wrecking yard, or salvage yard. See also recycle parts, total loss.
Basecoat/clearcoat - a paint system in which the color effect is produced by applying a highly pigmented coat of paint (basecoat) followed by a transparent coat to provide gloss and durability (clearcoat). The basecoat and clearcoats in use today are generally urethane-based. This system is much more durable and resists fading to a greater degree than previous paint systems. See clearcoat, enamel, lacquer.
Blending - the process of overlapping paint into an adjacent panel to reduce color variations. Because a slight color variation is most noticeable where a newly painted panel is next to an existing panel, blending gradually fades one color into the other so there is no perceptible difference. See tinting.
CAPA - Certified Auto Parts Association - a consumer advocates group that certifies aftermarket parts (funded by the insurance industry and the manufacturers of aftermarket parts).
Claim adjuster - a person responsible for assessing the damage to your vehicle and settling a claim. The adjuster may work for the insurance company or he may be hired by them. See insurance adjuster, independent adjuster.
Collision insurance – insurance that covers damage to the insured vehicle caused by collision with any object, stationary or moving. This coverage pays for the repair of a vehicle after a crash. See liability insurance.
Coverage - protection and benefits provided by an insurance policy. Coverage varies from company to company. Always read your policy carefully. The lower cost policy may not provide the same coverage at a higher priced one.
Deductible - the amount of a claim that is paid by the insured before insurance payment begins.
Estimate – the approximate cost to restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition. Estimates are written estimations of the charges — they are not quotes. Additional damages may be found after repair has begun, in which case the charges will increase. See pre-accident condition, computer estimate, supplement, hidden damage.
Liability insurance – insurance that provides protection for the insured against financial loss against claims of financial damage from others. In other words, it pays for repair of the other person’s vehicle if you caused it to be damaged and it was your fault. See collision insurance.
LKQ - Like Kind and Quality - a used part salvaged from another vehicle. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called recycled part or used part.
OEM parts – parts sold by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). See also aftermarket parts, replacement parts, used parts, recycled parts, LKQ parts, salvage parts.
Recycled part - a used part obtained from a salvage yard. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called a used part. See also LKQ, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, replacement parts, salvage parts, used parts.
Remanufactured part - a used, original factory part that has been refurbished to like-new condition. A typical remanufactured part is a bumper covers, which can be easily reformed back to the original shape. Also called reconditioned part.
Salvage parts - parts obtained from a salvage yard. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called a recycle part. See also LKQ parts, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, replacement parts, recycled parts, used parts.
Supplement – a detailing of the repair charges for additional damage found after repairs have begun. Often it is not possible to determine all the damages to a vehicle until it is disassembled. Original estimates are generally based on visible damage. If additional damage is discovered after repairs are begun, a supplement is prepared and submitted to the consumer and/or insurance company for approval. See also, tear down and hidden damages.
Used part - a part obtained from a salvage yard. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called a recycle part. See also LKQ, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, replacement parts, used parts, salvage parts.
Automotive recycler – a business that takes in and stores wrecked, damaged, or abandoned vehicles including those totaled by insurance companies. The recycler dismantles the vehicle to sell the parts to body shop or consumers or to sell them as scrap metal. Also called a junkyard, wrecking yard, or salvage yard. See also recycle parts, total loss.
Basecoat/clearcoat - a paint system in which the color effect is produced by applying a highly pigmented coat of paint (basecoat) followed by a transparent coat to provide gloss and durability (clearcoat). The basecoat and clearcoats in use today are generally urethane-based. This system is much more durable and resists fading to a greater degree than previous paint systems. See clearcoat, enamel, lacquer.
Blending - the process of overlapping paint into an adjacent panel to reduce color variations. Because a slight color variation is most noticeable where a newly painted panel is next to an existing panel, blending gradually fades one color into the other so there is no perceptible difference. See tinting.
CAPA - Certified Auto Parts Association - a consumer advocates group that certifies aftermarket parts (funded by the insurance industry and the manufacturers of aftermarket parts).
Claim adjuster - a person responsible for assessing the damage to your vehicle and settling a claim. The adjuster may work for the insurance company or he may be hired by them. See insurance adjuster, independent adjuster.
Collision insurance – insurance that covers damage to the insured vehicle caused by collision with any object, stationary or moving. This coverage pays for the repair of a vehicle after a crash. See liability insurance.
Coverage - protection and benefits provided by an insurance policy. Coverage varies from company to company. Always read your policy carefully. The lower cost policy may not provide the same coverage at a higher priced one.
Deductible - the amount of a claim that is paid by the insured before insurance payment begins.
Estimate – the approximate cost to restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition. Estimates are written estimations of the charges — they are not quotes. Additional damages may be found after repair has begun, in which case the charges will increase. See pre-accident condition, computer estimate, supplement, hidden damage.
Liability insurance – insurance that provides protection for the insured against financial loss against claims of financial damage from others. In other words, it pays for repair of the other person’s vehicle if you caused it to be damaged and it was your fault. See collision insurance.
LKQ - Like Kind and Quality - a used part salvaged from another vehicle. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called recycled part or used part.
OEM parts – parts sold by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). See also aftermarket parts, replacement parts, used parts, recycled parts, LKQ parts, salvage parts.
Recycled part - a used part obtained from a salvage yard. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called a used part. See also LKQ, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, replacement parts, salvage parts, used parts.
Remanufactured part - a used, original factory part that has been refurbished to like-new condition. A typical remanufactured part is a bumper covers, which can be easily reformed back to the original shape. Also called reconditioned part.
Salvage parts - parts obtained from a salvage yard. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called a recycle part. See also LKQ parts, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, replacement parts, recycled parts, used parts.
Supplement – a detailing of the repair charges for additional damage found after repairs have begun. Often it is not possible to determine all the damages to a vehicle until it is disassembled. Original estimates are generally based on visible damage. If additional damage is discovered after repairs are begun, a supplement is prepared and submitted to the consumer and/or insurance company for approval. See also, tear down and hidden damages.
Used part - a part obtained from a salvage yard. Such parts may be specified by the insurance company. We inspect all such parts upon receipt and use them only if they meet our standards of quality. Also called a recycle part. See also LKQ, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, replacement parts, used parts, salvage parts.