Understanding Your Auto Estimate

After you’ve filed a claim as the result of an auto accident, you’ll need to have your vehicle’s damage assessed to determine how much repairs will cost. The resulting report is called an estimate.

Here are some common questions you may have regarding your estimate.

I’ve received a Travelers estimate. Can you provide tips for reading it?

Below you can find a guide to reading your estimate. The letters indicate the purpose of the section.

Your estimate cover sheet

The cover sheet of your estimate includes important information such as:

  • (A) Your Travelers Claim professional's contact information.
  • (B) Your claim number and other claim detail.
  • (C) The inspection and repair facility location, if applicable.
  • (D) Your vehicle information and options.
Sample of an auto estimate cover sheet containing A, B, C, D callouts of various components.

Your estimate detail

This page of your estimate provides additional details about the costs associated with repair or replacement. Each line item shows a needed replacement part or repair, with “Labor” indicating the time required for the work and “Paint” indicating the time required to match the repair to the existing color of your vehicle.

Sample preliminary estimate for auto repairs.

Your estimate summary

The estimate summary will show your deductible, as well as the subtotals and totals for your repair. The sample image of the estimate summary pictured below is an example of a table that breaks down estimate totals by category, as well as the total cost of repairs, the deductible, total adjustments and the net cost of repairs.

Sample of estimate totals for auto repair costs.

1 Customers have the right to choose where their vehicle will be appraised (depending on state) and/or repaired and are under no obligation to use a repair facility in our network.

Related articles

Our glossary provides simple explanations of common insurance terms.

Woman looks at her computer screen.

Get an overview on what to expect during the Travelers auto claim process.

Woman looks at damage from an auto accident.

Get a brief description to help you understand how Travelers claim payments are typically determined and how deductibles are applied.

Man looks at his mobile phone in his hand.