auto repair words 101
It is easy to feel a bit lost when having conversations with Mechanics. It can sometimes feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like pull, disassembly or acronyms such as OEM, EFT or AOR!
Hopefully this list of common auto repair terms will help you understand more next time you have to talk ‘cars’.
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Having a scheduled appointment time means that we have quality time to focus on you and your vehicle. Having a 30 minute estimate appointment means that we can make sure that we are answering all your questions and gathering all the information we need to make your repair process quality and safe.
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The estimate on your vehicle is the most important piece of information for an auto body repair. Think of this document as your vehicles “diagnosis”. The estimate either comes after a scheduled appointment with one of our trained estimators or from your insurance company.
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When your vehicle is damaged, your insurance company with typically provide one specific person to walk through the repair process. We work closely with these adjusters to communicate from our side any questions. This is your person of contact on the insurance side.
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The vehicle deductible is the dollar amount set up by your insurance policy that is the part that you pay out of your pocket. When a repair is in process, we communicate to you this amount from your insurance and this is paid upfront before the repair process begins.
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The days of paper checks coming through the mail is slowly coming to an end. An EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) is a transfer of funds from your insurance company to our shop on the dollar amount covered by your insurance policy. Typically we are notified via an email that a EFT has taken place from your insurance company and deposited into our bank account for your repairs. Simply and easy-and a paper trail!
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This is when we contact you to let you know your vehicle is ready to pick up.
During this process, we will collect all money that is due to the shop.
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OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer.
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This is our motto. Because we are an OEM shop (an Original Equipment Manufacturer), your vehicle will always be repaired with your safety in mind with quality and original parts. Although there are situations that used parts are acceptable, we will always choose new, original parts vs. parts that are refurbished or used.
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We work with your insurance company on your behalf to make sure they understand why your repairs are needed. This could be in the form of documentation from the original manufacturer, parts price matching and lots of time on the phone explaining what we do and why we do it.
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Taking your vehicle apart one piece at a time.
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These are additional repairs that are required in addition to the original estimate of record.
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This refers to damage that has been done to the frame of your vehicle- which is your foundation.
These repairs are the most technical and need the most repairs. They also take the longest time.
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Every vehicle is detailed before you pick it up. We disinfect, wash and vacuum your vehicle so that it looks like new when you pick it up.