Collision Repair Glossary

OEM
An acronym for Original Equipment Manufacturer. A new replacement part or accessory that is manufactured by and available through the vehicle manufacturer's parts distribution network.

Aftermarket Part
Any part that is purchased from a source other than the OEM parts distribution network.

LKQ|Used Part
Like kind and quality. An undamaged part salvaged from a similar vehicle. Generally a vehicle that has been deemed a total loss.

Reconditioned Part
A damaged part that has been scrapped and repaired or rebuilt by a third party vendor.

Betterment
A specific percentage determined by the insurance company, deducted from the cost to repair or replace a particular part in the event it is repaired or replaced with a part that will increase the value or condition of the vehicle. Also known as depreciation.

Appearance Allowance
A specific dollar amount determined by the insurer, paid or credited to a vehicle owner in lieu of a part repair or replacement.

Deductible
A dollar amount, specified in most insurance policies, beyond which insurance protection begins. The insured assumes the loss up to the limit of the deductible amount. Then the insurance company pays any amount over the deductable up to the policy limit.

Direction of Pay
A document signed by the insured or claimant directing insurance payment to the shop.

DRP
A direct repair program, or ?DRP? as they are often called, is an automobile insurer's group of preferred providers. Body Shops involved in an insurer's program have a contractual agreement with the insurer. That agreement, however, can be based on many different things, not all of which are good for for consumers.

Total Loss
A total loss is a situation in which a vehicle is damaged and the cost of repair plus salvage would exceed the vehicle's market value.

Title Branding
Vehicle title branding is the use of a permanent designation on a vehicle's title to indicate that a vehicle has been written off due to collision, fire, or flood damage or has been sold for scrap. The designation or brand is mandatory in most states when an insurer or vehicle owner writes off a vehicle as a ?total loss?. Typically this means the cost to repair equals or exceeds the vehicles value, although legal definitions vary.

PDR
Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a collection of techniques for removing minor dents and dings from the body of a motor vehicle. A wide range of special tools are used to access and repair the dent. If there is damaged paint, PDR may be unsuitable. The most common practical use for PDR is the repair of hail damage, door dings, and minor body creases.