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How can I tell if a repair estimate is just a starting point?
If a body shop expects it may need to submit a supplement after taking a car apart, what should the initial estimate say? I’m trying to understand whether it’s marked preliminary or subject to teardown, rather than being treated as the full approved repair plan.
Before work starts, is it reasonable to ask who will contact the insurer and get approval for any added work, and how changes to the repair order or completion date will be explained? I wouldn’t assume every supplement is automatically approved.
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The estimate can spell out the scope it covers now and note that teardown may reveal damage requiring a revised estimate. That makes clear the initial document isn’t necessarily the complete repair plan, without implying every added repair needs the same approval process. Before work begins, the shop and insurer can clarify what approvals apply before extra work proceeds.