The vehicle is not immediately repaired upon arrival at a collision repair facility; first an estimate of repairs must be made. The estimate indicates which parts should be repaired, replaced, and/or painted. It also indicates what type of parts should be used, how much the repairs will cost, and approximately how long it will take to make the repairs.

More than one person may write an estimate. It may be written by an estimator/production manager from the collision repair facility, an appraiser/adjuster from the insurance company, or an independent appraiser/adjuster for the insurance company. Before the repairs can begin, the insurance company, collision repair facility, and customer must all agree to the estimate.

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