What you get for $19.99
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Line-item parts list | Included | Each part named with replacement vs. repair call |
| Labor hours & operations | Included | What the shop should actually be doing |
| Paint & materials | Included | Refinish, blending, and materials broken out |
| Photos reviewed by a tech | Included | Not an algorithm — a certified human |
| Turnaround | ~24 hours | From complete photos + payment |
What affects the price
- Exact trim matters. A headlight for a base trim vs. the LED unit on the top trim can differ by $1,000. Any estimate — online or in person — built on the wrong trim is fiction. We require it for a reason.
- Photo quality is everything. Wide shots showing the panel in context, close-ups of the damage, and angles showing panel gaps. Bad photos = guesswork; good photos = a tight estimate. Our upload step walks you through it.
- Hidden damage honesty. No estimate — online or in-shop — can see behind a panel. A good online estimate tells you what might be hiding and what to ask the shop to check on teardown, instead of pretending certainty.
- Who’s writing it. The difference between a useful estimate and a random number is the reviewer. Ours are written and approved by an I-CAR certified auto body technician — the same credential shops use to certify their own techs.
- What it’s for. Use it to sanity-check shop quotes, decide whether to file an insurance claim, or negotiate with an adjuster. It’s leverage in document form.
What makes a good damage photo
Shoot the whole panel first — one wide photo showing the damaged panel and its neighbors, so the tech sees context. Then go close — the actual crack, dent, or scrape, straight on. Then shoot the gaps — where the panel meets the ones around it; uneven gaps reveal hidden structural shifting. Include any warning lights on the dash. Daylight, no flash, and wipe the dirt off first — grime hides cracks. Six to ten good photos beat thirty blurry ones.
Related cost guides
Frequently asked questions
Is an online estimate accurate?
As accurate as the photos and details you provide — which is why we’re strict about both. For visible damage with good photos and exact trim, a technician’s online estimate lands very close to the final shop number. Hidden damage is flagged, not guessed at.
What if there’s hidden damage behind the panel?
We tell you what to have the shop verify on teardown — absorber, brackets, intrusion beams — so the supplement process doesn’t blindside you. No honest estimate, online or otherwise, pretends to X-ray your car.
How fast will I get it?
Usually within 24 hours of complete photos and payment. If your photos are missing a critical angle, we’ll ask for one more shot rather than guess — that’s a feature, not a delay.
What exactly do I receive for $19.99?
A line-item estimate document: parts (repair vs. replace calls), labor operations and hours, paint and materials, and the technician’s notes — viewable and printable from your account. One flat fee, no upsells.
Can I use it with my insurance company?
Yes. It’s an independent, itemized estimate you can hand to an adjuster or use to check their number. Many customers use it to decide whether filing a claim even makes sense before they call.