I-CAR recently released an Advantage article, "Are General Sectioning Guidelines Still Applicable?" (See www.i-car.com.) It addresses technical aspects of sectioning in light of the new designs and materials becoming predominant in today's vehicles. Lighter and stronger structural parts certainly add to our current repair challenges. Who addresses the financial aspects of sectioning?
Insurance companies naturally need to keep an eye on costs, as would any purchaser of services. Sectioning can be an appealing repair, not only for cost savings, but also for total loss avoidance and for a less intrusive operation on the vehicle. These reasons are sensible, if the sectioning repair can be done in a safe manner with fair compensation. According to the I-CAR article, sectioning opportunities are becoming rarer, running contrary to cost control ideas.
Liability concerns keep growing. As a repairer, sectioning is your choice. Making such a repair based only on experience and not on the manufacturer's sectioning repair procedures may result in sectioned joints either weaker or stronger than designed. How do you make a decision on when to section?
General estimating procedures may be too general to be as helpful as we would like. This can make it much harder to support your negotiations. For example; "trimming, repair, or modification" of new parts is not included (Audatex), "cutting and welding as necessary" is included (MOTORS), "frame set up" is not included (Mitchell). Each of these leaves plenty of room for interpretation and these are for relatively straightforward repairs using new parts.
When estimating a damaged vehicle, keep in mind that sectioning can be an effective and economical repair. It also can create problems. If you have damage that could qualify for a sectioning procedure, make a few quick checks.
An easy first test is to see if your information provider has a recommended labor time for this sectioning procedure. If so, further investigation is needed. If not, move on to estimating with a full part replacement.
Information providers develop their suggested sectioning labor times based on procedures from one or more authoritative sources, including the vehicle manufacturer, independent research reports and I-CAR's general sectioning procedures. "Based on" indicates some documentation behind their recommended labor time, not an endorsement of the procedure nor specific lists of steps to be done. That is still your responsibility.
The next step is to have the vehicle manufacturer's procedures in hand to help estimate repair costs as well as to perform that repair and stand behind it. These procedures should be a clear set of directions on how to do it and what is needed. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers have this available and each approaches it differently. For example, Hyundai makes no recommendation for or against sectioning procedures, while General Motors not only has a growing list of procedures, but offers them for free at www.goodwrench.com.
Take a look at I-CAR's Web site for an easy check of what each manufacturer has to offer and a link to that information. Keep in mind that not all of it is free.
Sectioning can be a valid repair choice, but not always. Making the right choice should depend on specific reliable procedures. The next step is documentation on what is included and not included so your estimate reflects the true costs involved. Your information providers have that available on your system and all of them have it available on their Web sites.
Bruce Burrow, AAM started writing estimates 30 years ago, has worked for most of the information providers, and, as an independent instructor for 10 years, has trained estimators across North America. He is ASE Master certified and an instructor for the Automotive Management Institute. Send comments, ideas and questions to [email protected].
