What Is a Car Insurance Repair Estimate?

How Does a Car Repair Estimate Work?

After you file a claim for damage to your vehicle, the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim arranges to have the vehicle inspected to see what needs repair. This may involve:

• Visiting a repair shop: You may drive the car to a repair shop or have it towed there so the damage can be evaluated.
• Home visit: If your car is undriveable, an insurance estimator may visit your home to inspect the vehicle.
• Photo estimate: Many car insurance companies let you photograph the damage to your vehicle and share the photos via the insurer's website or app. The insurer generates an estimate based on photos.

During the inspection, the repairer or insurance adjuster notes the parts of your car that need to be repaired or replaced and the estimated cost of parts and labor. The adjuster uses this information to create a car repair estimate document that lists the necessary repairs, their expected cost and what your car insurance covers.

Tip: A car insurance estimate inspection can take as little as 15 minutes, depending on the degree of damage, but scheduling the inspection and reviewing the estimate could take several days. Photo estimates can streamline the process; however, they typically work best for superficial damage.

Learn more: How to File a Car Insurance Claim

What If Repair Costs Exceed the Car's Value?

If the estimated cost of repairs is too high relative to your car's value, the insurer may declare the car a total loss. When a car is considered totaled depends on state regulations and your insurer's policies. If the car is a total loss, your insurance company generally pays you the vehicle's actual cash value, minus your deductible.

Learn more: What Does Car Insurance Cover?

What Does a Car Insurance Repair Estimate Include?

Your official car repair estimate document typically includes the following information:

• Claim number
• Insurance adjuster name and contact information
• Vehicle information
• Location where the inspection took place
• A line-by-line description of the parts that are damaged
• A description of the repair or replacement required for each part
• Whether OEM, certified, aftermarket or recycled replacement parts will be used
• Any repainting needed
• Part numbers associated with the repair work
• Which parts will be removed and reinstalled during the process
• Any repairs that must be performed by a specialist third-party repairer
• A detailed breakdown of labor hours required
• Rates for labor
• Taxes and fees
• Your deductible
• Projected insurance payout once your deductible is applied

Be aware: You generally need full coverage car insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage, for your policy to pay for repairs. If another driver was at fault, their insurance may cover your car repairs even if you don't have full coverage.

Learn more: What Is a Car Insurance Deductible?

How to Get a Car Repair Estimate for Insurance

Follow these steps to get an insurance estimate for car repair costs:

1. File a claim with your insurance company. Contact your insurance company and follow their process to file a claim. You can typically do this online, by phone or in your insurance company's mobile app.
2. Select an inspection option. Your insurance adjuster will explain any options, such as photo estimates, at-home estimates or repair shop estimates. If you have a regular repair shop, you can typically opt to get an estimate there.
3. Make the vehicle available for inspection. The time needed for an inspection can vary, so be patient. If you get an estimate from a repair shop and the insurer doesn't agree with it, they may send an estimator to look at the vehicle in person or may require you to get additional estimates.
4. Receive and review your estimate. If you don't agree with your insurer's estimate, you can ask the insurance adjuster to reconsider. You may be asked to get additional estimates. Work with your repair shop and insurance company to find a number you're both happy with.

Tip: Many insurance companies have preferred repair shops. Using these shops may have benefits, such as guarantees for repairs. However, you have the right to use any repair shop you choose for estimates and repairs.

Is My Car Repair Estimate Final?

Like any repair estimate, car insurance repair estimates are preliminary and may need adjustment during the repair process. Your car insurance estimate could change due to factors such as:

• Hidden damage: After repairs start, the repair shop may uncover damage that wasn't visible during the initial inspection.
• Parts price difference: If the replacement parts originally ordered aren't available, your estimate may be adjusted to pay for different parts.
• Third-party repairs: If the repair shop can't perform certain specialty work, like glass repair, the estimate may need to change to cover the cost of a third-party repairer.

When hidden damage or unexpected costs are discovered, the repair shop typically requests a supplement, or additional funds to cover the repairs, from the insurance company.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

A car insurance repair estimate is just a starting point and may need to change if additional damage is discovered. If you don't think the insurance estimate is accurate, work with your insurer to reach an agreement that can get your car back on the road.

Being involved in an accident or filing an insurance claim may affect your premiums. Switching car insurance companies could offer a way to save. If you're curious about your insurance options, try using Experian's auto insurance comparison tool. It's a convenient way to get personalized car insurance quotes from dozens of top providers in minutes.