State Farm Independent Auto Exam
questions and answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
Select Service Program
- correct answer In some market areas, repairers have been selected to participate in State Farm's Select
Service Program. The program is designed to enhance claim service, increase efficiency, and afford
customers an opportunity to select qualified repairers to inspect and estimate vehicle damage
Paintless Dent repair
- correct answer Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is an industry recognized repair process that involves the
removal of hail dents or other types of damage from metal exterior surface panels without disturbing
the vehicle's finish. In most cases, this procedure involves the use of specialized tools to apply
pressure to the backside of the panel to remove surface imperfections. Other techniques may be used
to repair damage from the topside of the panel, depending on the size and location of the damage.
By using either of these techniques, the technician is able to restore panel appearance
which eliminates the need for refinishing the panel's surface area. The PDR process is often used to
repair hail damage or other similar dents that occur when an outer panel strikes (or is struck by) an
object that has not compromised the finish of the panel. Since the outer finish of the panel has not been
disturbed, it eliminates the refinishing process
and may allow for repairs to be completed in a more timely and cost effective manner.
Determining Repair Costs
- correct answer The prices we pay for most repair operations will be determined from printed or
electronic
collision estimating guides and repair facility survey results. However, it is not possible to
determine the cost of every repair operation from these sources. For example, when estimating a sheet
metal
or other repair operation, the labor estimate is based on judgment time. When estimating judgment
time, it should follow what is competitive in the local market to repair the vehicle in a quality manner.
, Estimats are based on
- correct answer Estimates written or approved by
State Farm are based on labor rates and repair costs not to exceed what is charged by a majority of the
repair market in a given area.
Contracts with repairers
- correct answer We do not enter into contracts with repairers on individual repair jobs on a fixed or
"contract" repair job basis. We pay for the estimated cost of repair based on physical damage caused as
a
result of the loss.
Freight Charges
- correct answer Similarly, if freight charges are submitted to State Farm for payment, payment should
normally be resisted. Freight charges are not considered as part of actual repair costs and are generally
aligned with an expense a repairer or dealership may incur as a result of operating the repair facility
business. If a circumstance arises that may warrant additional consideration, local management should
contact their assigned Estimatics consultant.
Minimum Cost
- correct answer Establishing minimum costs or authority levels can provide a realistic measure of repair
costs for items such as the number of hours allowed for a complete refinish job, material costs, or
similar items.
Publication of survey information
- correct answer We will not knowingly violate that confidentiality by publicizing individual
survey data to persons outside our organization
Claims Summary
- correct answer State Farm will pay claims based upon reasonable, competitive prices for repairs
necessary to
repair the vehicle in a quality manner. The policy contract and law of damages will assist us in
determining whether certain operations are payable
questions and answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
Select Service Program
- correct answer In some market areas, repairers have been selected to participate in State Farm's Select
Service Program. The program is designed to enhance claim service, increase efficiency, and afford
customers an opportunity to select qualified repairers to inspect and estimate vehicle damage
Paintless Dent repair
- correct answer Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is an industry recognized repair process that involves the
removal of hail dents or other types of damage from metal exterior surface panels without disturbing
the vehicle's finish. In most cases, this procedure involves the use of specialized tools to apply
pressure to the backside of the panel to remove surface imperfections. Other techniques may be used
to repair damage from the topside of the panel, depending on the size and location of the damage.
By using either of these techniques, the technician is able to restore panel appearance
which eliminates the need for refinishing the panel's surface area. The PDR process is often used to
repair hail damage or other similar dents that occur when an outer panel strikes (or is struck by) an
object that has not compromised the finish of the panel. Since the outer finish of the panel has not been
disturbed, it eliminates the refinishing process
and may allow for repairs to be completed in a more timely and cost effective manner.
Determining Repair Costs
- correct answer The prices we pay for most repair operations will be determined from printed or
electronic
collision estimating guides and repair facility survey results. However, it is not possible to
determine the cost of every repair operation from these sources. For example, when estimating a sheet
metal
or other repair operation, the labor estimate is based on judgment time. When estimating judgment
time, it should follow what is competitive in the local market to repair the vehicle in a quality manner.
, Estimats are based on
- correct answer Estimates written or approved by
State Farm are based on labor rates and repair costs not to exceed what is charged by a majority of the
repair market in a given area.
Contracts with repairers
- correct answer We do not enter into contracts with repairers on individual repair jobs on a fixed or
"contract" repair job basis. We pay for the estimated cost of repair based on physical damage caused as
a
result of the loss.
Freight Charges
- correct answer Similarly, if freight charges are submitted to State Farm for payment, payment should
normally be resisted. Freight charges are not considered as part of actual repair costs and are generally
aligned with an expense a repairer or dealership may incur as a result of operating the repair facility
business. If a circumstance arises that may warrant additional consideration, local management should
contact their assigned Estimatics consultant.
Minimum Cost
- correct answer Establishing minimum costs or authority levels can provide a realistic measure of repair
costs for items such as the number of hours allowed for a complete refinish job, material costs, or
similar items.
Publication of survey information
- correct answer We will not knowingly violate that confidentiality by publicizing individual
survey data to persons outside our organization
Claims Summary
- correct answer State Farm will pay claims based upon reasonable, competitive prices for repairs
necessary to
repair the vehicle in a quality manner. The policy contract and law of damages will assist us in
determining whether certain operations are payable
