Repair Estimates
Walking into a body shop without a handle on how to read a repair estimate can be pretty daunting. Progressive wants you to know exactly what's involved in the repair process, so we've compiled a few common elements of repair estimates to build your knowledge — before you step into a body shop.
How Estimates Are Determined
An estimate is just that – an estimate of the cost involved in safely repairing your vehicle to pre-accident condition. An estimate can vary depending upon several factors including labor rates, part prices and the amount of time necessary to perform certain repairs, but the main elements are the initial estimate, the supplemental estimate and an agreed price.
The Initial Estimate
Your Progressive claims representative will prepare an initial repair estimate so the repairs can begin. Your claims representative can also help you understand your choices for repairing your vehicle. Depending on availability, you can either choose to use a facility in Progressive's network of shops, use our
concierge level of claims service, or you can select a shop of your own choosing.
The Supplemental Estimate
If the body shop you choose discovers additional damage when repairing your vehicle, your claims representative will "re-inspect" the vehicle. Reinspection is not unusual – a vehicle involved in a crash may have damaged parts that are not visible when the original estimate is written but become visible once repairs begin. At this point, the claims representative and the body shop representative review the damage to your vehicle together and make revisions to the estimate as appropriate.
Agreed Price
Progressive claims representatives write estimates based upon parts and labor costs associated with the repair. If the body shop’s estimate is higher or lower than Progressive’s, the claims representative will discuss this difference with the shop and they will work to agree on a price for repairs. Your claims representative will keep you informed of the repairs every step of the way.
Please note: Some services described above are only available to customers who purchased coverages such as Comprehensive, Collision, Rental Reimbursement, Medical Payments, etc., before their loss. Coverage is subject to the terms of your policy. Please refer to your policy to verify which coverages you have.