I-CAR ProLevel Estimator flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Overlap deduction

A negative line item removing labor time that appears in two operations on the same or adjacent area, such as a shared door handle removal within door R&I and handle replacement.

Not-included operations

Procedures the labor guide or OEM excludes from a listed operation, such as seam sealer, cavity wax, or weld-through primer, which must be added as separate priced line items on the estimate.

Pre-loss condition

The vehicle's condition, mileage, and prior damage before the loss event. It sets the repair baseline, and unrelated wear or prior damage is documented and excluded from the loss repair.

Sublet

Work performed by an outside vendor rather than the shop, such as wheel alignment, glass replacement, ADAS calibration, or towing. It is billed at actual cost plus documented handling.

Included operations

Tasks already bundled into a listed labor operation by the OEM or labor guide, such as removing a door handle as part of a door R&I. They are not separately billable.

Unibody construction

A unitized design in which welded body panels and rails form the load-bearing structure. It requires careful measuring, pulling, and OEM-approved sectioning during structural repair.

Boron and martensitic steel

Ultra-high-strength steel grades used in occupant protection structures. They are generally not repairable and heat application is prohibited, so replacement per OEM procedure is required.

Sectioning

Partial replacement of a panel by cutting at an OEM-designated location and joining with the specified butt, lap, or backing-plate joint. Cuts outside approved points are not permitted.

Galvanic corrosion

Corrosion caused when dissimilar metals such as aluminum and steel contact in the presence of moisture. Repair requires isolation, correct fasteners, and OEM-specified adhesives.

Body-on-frame construction

A design with a separate ladder frame carrying the body, cab, and box. Frame damage is measured and straightened on the frame, and body panels are largely cosmetic bolt-on parts.

Induced damage

Secondary damage away from the impact point where energy dissipates, appearing as buckles, kinks, popped seam sealer, or misaligned gaps along the energy path.

Energy path

The route impact force travels through the stiffest structure to the opposite side of the vehicle. Tracing it guides measurement of rails, roof, and quarter panels.

Pre-repair scan

A diagnostic scan performed before repair to record stored DTCs and establish a baseline. It documents pre-existing faults and is a billable operation.

Gap and flush check

Measurement of panel-to-panel and lamp-to-panel spacing. Unequal gaps or popped seam sealer indicate body shift or structural movement requiring measurement.

VIN decode

The process of reading the 17-character vehicle identification number in estimating software to pull correct year, make, model, trim, engine, and OEM part and labor data.

Refinish materials charge

A separate estimate line covering paint, primer, clear, and shop supplies, calculated as a percentage of refinish labor or a fixed per-panel amount according to shop or insurer policy.

Labor guide time

Published hours for an operation assuming new OEM parts, an undamaged vehicle, and specified tools. It supplies time, while the OEM supplies the repair procedure.

Line item anatomy

The fields that make up one estimate line: part number, description, quantity, part type, labor operation code, labor hours, labor rate, and price.

LKQ part

A recycled original equipment part from a salvaged vehicle of matching year, make, model, and trim. It must be inspected, and structural or airbag parts are generally prohibited.

CAPA certification

A voluntary quality benchmark for aftermarket collision parts covering fit and construction. It indicates a tested standard but does not guarantee OEM-equivalent crash performance.

OES part

An original equipment supplier part sold through the OEM distribution network, often without the vehicle brand logo. It meets OEM specification and warranty terms.

Alternative parts disclosure

Written notice on the estimate stating the part type for each line, so the vehicle owner can authorize or decline aftermarket, LKQ, or remanufactured parts.

Position statement

An OEM document defining limits on sectioning, heat, straightening, and alternative parts. It is citable in the estimate to justify repair method and part choice.

R&I versus R&R

R&I removes and reinstalls the same part, such as a bumper cover for access. R&R removes and replaces the part with a new one, and each carries different labor time.

Measuring and pulling

Structural operations using a bench or universal system to restore dimensions. Billed as setup plus per-pull or per-hour time, with before and after measurements documented.

Corrosion protection restoration

Reapplication of zinc-rich primer, seam sealer, and cavity wax after welding or sectioning. It is typically a not-included operation billed as a separate line with material cost.

Supplement

A formal, itemized revision to an authorized estimate when hidden damage or additional operations are found. It requires re-authorization before the added work proceeds.

Supplement reason code

A short category assigned to each added line, such as hidden damage, measuring result, or parts price change, linking the addition to documented evidence in the job file.

Total loss threshold

A state-set formula, usually a percentage of actual cash value, at which repair cost makes the vehicle a total loss. It is checked as the estimate approaches the limit.

Static versus dynamic calibration

Static calibration uses targets in a controlled space with the vehicle stationary. Dynamic calibration requires a specified drive cycle. The OEM procedure states which applies.

Post-repair scan

A diagnostic scan after repairs and calibration to confirm no DTCs remain and systems function. It is a separate billable operation and part of the repair record.

Calibration trigger

A repair event that requires ADAS recalibration, such as windshield replacement, bumper cover R&R, suspension work, wheel alignment, or structural repair altering sensor aim.