Insurance companies review a repair plan against photos, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) procedures, and the actual damage. They then approve it, negotiate specific line items, or request more documentation before parts get ordered.
Key Takeaways:
- Line-by-line review: Insurers compare the estimate against photos and OEM repair procedures before signing off.
- Three outcomes: A repair plan gets approved, negotiated, or sent back for more documentation.
- Documentation speeds approval: Plans backed by photos, OEM procedure pages, and scan results tend to clear review faster.
- You have a right to an itemized estimate: At Royal Collision, we provide one on every collision repair insurance claim.
What Happens After a Shop Submits a Repair Plan?
At Royal Collision, we inspect the vehicle and write a repair plan. The plan, photos, OEM procedure pages, and scan results go to the insurer as your collision repair insurance claim. The insurer checks it against the reported damage before authorizing repairs.
How the Review Works, Step by Step
Our process starts with a diagnostic scan for trouble codes tied to the collision. We then disassemble the vehicle. This reveals damage a visual check would miss, like structural misalignment or hidden component damage.
Next, we write a repair plan listing labor by department, parts, materials, and sublet services like calibration. We submit it to the customer and insurer together, with photos and OEM procedure pages attached. Every body shop processes insurance claims through this same stage.
An adjuster or appraiser compares the plan against that documentation. Their inspection may rely on photos, not a teardown. They approve the plan, question specific items, or ask us for more information.
Once the insurer responds, we inform the customer about what got approved.
Insurer’s Initial Estimate vs. a Body Shop’s Repair Plan
| Feature | Insurer’s Initial Estimate | Body Shop’s Repair Plan |
| Based on | Photos or a brief inspection | Full disassembly of the vehicle |
| Hidden damage | Often not visible yet | Identified during teardown |
| OEM procedures | May not be itemized | Documented as supporting evidence |
| Role in the claim | Starting point for the claim | What goes to the insurer for approval |
What Determines Whether a Plan Gets Approved or Negotiated?
A repair plan clears review fastest when the documentation behind it is complete. Photos, OEM procedure pages, and scan results give the insurer less reason to come back with questions. Later-model vehicles add another layer, since more of them need calibration after a collision.
CCC Intelligent Solutions’ 2026 Crash Course report found calibration operations now appear in 28.3% of repairable estimates in 2025. That reflects how much repair work has changed for newer vehicles with driver assistance systems.
A plan that comes back with questions usually isn’t a problem with the repair itself. It typically means the insurer wants more support for one line before paying it. This is where an insurance claim needs a body shop’s support. At Royal Collision, we supply that support quickly so repairs keep moving.
What Should You Do While Your Repair Plan Is Under Review?
- Ask for the plan in writing. It protects you and the shop if there’s a dispute later about what was approved.
- Get your itemized estimate in writing. California regulation gives every insurance customer the right to a written, itemized estimate.
- Keep your shop in the loop, not only your insurer. At Royal Collision, we stay in direct contact with your insurance company for you.
That’s the kind of collision repair Riverside, CA drivers can count on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can repairs start before insurance approves the plan?
Generally, no. We disassemble the vehicle to write the plan, but parts and actual repairs wait until the insurer responds.
What happens if my insurer only approves part of the repair plan?
At Royal Collision, we can supply more documentation, like additional photos or OEM procedure pages, for items still under review.
Does an approved repair plan mean the final invoice will match it exactly?
Not always. If a technician finds more damage once repairs begin, the shop submits a supplement for the insurer to review separately.
Collision Repair, Managed From Claim to Approval
At Royal Collision, we manage your auto insurance claim for repair from photos to final approval. That means fewer surprises and a plan built around your vehicle. Call (951) 276-4421 or email us at ryan@royalcollisionriverside.com to get started.