Our goal at Liberty Collision in Sparks, Nevada is to help you become a more informed and confident consumer and make your repair and claims process easier after a collision. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an “estimate” that you may receive from an insurance company or at a drive-in, and a much more thorough “repair plan.”
What is an Estimate?
In short, an estimate is a basic visual inspection of the most obvious damage on a vehicle. Estimates can take under 30 minutes to write and are not as comprehensive as a repair plan. They evaluate the obvious damage and can give a general idea of the repairs that will need to be completed.
They are called “estimates” because the repair needs may vary significantly once the technician begins the repair process.
What is a Repair Plan?
A repair plan is a more thorough document, often requiring some disassembly of the vehicle to get better access to the damaged area. This leads to a more comprehensive damage analysis.
The process for developing a repair plan includes disassembling the vehicle to examine for damage, consulting the manufacture repair procedures, understanding what parts and materials are needed to safely repair your vehicle, computerized measurements and testing, diagnostic access to your vehicle systems (like backup cameras), and will give a much more realistic picture of the necessary steps, parts, and associated costs.
This process takes significantly longer than 30 minutes, and offers a thorough analysis to help you understand what repairs your vehicle needs.
Get the repair plan!
In conclusion, an estimate offers an at-a-glance understanding of what repairs your vehicle needs. In comparison, a repair plan ensures accuracy and allows you to better understand what costs and repairs are needed to restore your vehicle to safety.
It is not uncommon for there to be large discrepancies between the estimate and repair plan. For this reason, it’s important to avoid choosing a repair facility on price alone. When looking for a repair shop to fix your vehicle after an accident in Reno or Sparks, Nevada, look for a repair plan that offers thoroughness, communication and a firm understanding of what will be involved.
If you are looking for a collision repair shop you can trust in the Reno and Sparks, Nevada area, call the professional mechanics at Liberty Collision at (775) 329-3368.
