Betterment - This is a charge levied by insurance companies under the premise that as a result of a repair, the owner of the vehicle will be made better off than he was before the accident.  The charge is usually associated with wear and tear items such as batteries, tires, suspension struts, vinyl and convertible tops and exhaust systems.  Based upon the age and life expectancy of the old part that needs to be replaced, an insurance company may charge you a percentage of the replacement cost.

Base-coat finish - The initial layer of paint applied to the vehicle following the primer coat.  The base coat is the color coat of the refinishing procedure.  The base-coat typically dries to a satin-like finish.

Base-coat/Clear-coat finish - Also known as two-stage paint.  The refinishing procedure most commonly used on vehicles since the mid-1980's.  The color coat (base-coat) is applied first, and then a clear urethane coat (clear-coat) is applied.

Blending - A paint process used to assure color matching where the color being applied to replacement or repaired panels is drifted into adjacent panels to avoid a sharp dividing line between the new and old finish.  While the new paint is only taken part of the way into the adjacent panel, typically the entire adjacent panel receives clear-coat finish.

Clear-coat finish - A clear urethane coating applied over the base-coat.  This coating gives the base (color) coat its high gloss and durability.

LKQ - An acronym for "Like Kind and Quality".  An industry term for a used replacement part.  The logic says that a used part from a vehicle the same age as or newer than the vehicle being repaired is an equivalent part to the one being replaced. 

OEM - An acronym for "Original Equipment Manufacturer".  An industry term for a new replacement part made by or for the vehicle's manufacturer.

Quarter panel - The industry term for what many may think of as the rear fender.

Refinishing - A fancy term for re-painting.

R&I - Remove and install.  A procedure where an undamaged part is removed from the vehicle and then reinstalled as part of the repair process.

R&R - Remove and replace.  A procedure where a damaged part is removed from the vehicle and an undamaged part is installed in its place.

Recycled part - Another industry term for a used part.

Reconditioned part - Typically an OEM part that has been repaired and/or refurbished.

Sag - A term used to describe damage to unibody-construction vehicles where the damaged section of the vehicle is bent downward.

Sidesway - A term used to describe damage to unibody-construction vehicles where the front or the rear section of the vehicle is swung sideways.

Total Loss - An economic term used to describe a situation where the estimated cost of repairing a damaged vehicle exceeds some pre-set threshold, typically from 70% to 80% of the value of the vehicle.  The total loss threshold varies among the different insurance companies.

VIN - An acronym for "Vehicle Identification Number".  A unique identification number comprised of letters and numbers assigned to each vehicle.