Damage Appraisal: How to Quote
collision parts with AI
After the crash, the insurer's appraiser builds in their system the exact list of parts the vehicle needs. That list goes out to compete among the approved suppliers, and the order goes to whoever answers in full first. Here is how damage appraisal works, which systems generate it and how to answer it in minutes.
What damage appraisal is
It is the process by which the insurer determines what was damaged in a claim and how much it costs to repair: the appraiser inspects the vehicle, identifies the affected parts by VIN and builds the repair estimate with parts, labor and paint. Out of that comes the decision to repair or declare a total loss, and the parts list that gets bought.
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Send a quote request on WhatsApp →The systems that generate it
- Audatex (Solera): the most widespread appraisal system in Mexico; insurers use it to build the estimate with the manufacturer's labor times and parts. When someone asks "what is Audatex": it is the software where the appraiser builds the claim file.
- Mitchell and CCC: the dominant equivalents in North America, with the same collision estimating logic.
- The practical result for the supplier is the same in all of them: a 20-40 line list identified by VIN, mixing collision parts (bumper covers, hoods, tail lights) and mechanical ones, with a same-day response deadline.
From the appraisal report to the quote
The list reaches the approved supplier as a system export, a PDF or even a photo. Answering it by hand means identifying every line, matching it against your inventory, checking price and stock, and assembling the reply: hours of your best counter person. Answering it with AI changes the game:
- The list comes in however it arrives: exported, as a PDF or as a photo. The AI splits it line by line.
- Every line is matched by VIN against your catalog: the part, your SKU, your price, your stock. Nothing is invented; whatever does not match escalates to a person.
- The answer goes out complete in minutes, which is the standard by which the appraiser hands out the order.
💡 The math of the approved supplier list: the appraiser sends the same list to 2-3 suppliers and expects it today. If your answer takes 3 hours and your neighbor's takes 10 minutes, the file has already been assigned. In the insurance channel, quoting speed IS market share.
What a supplier needs to compete
- A connected catalog: fitment by VIN and documented cross-references, because the list arrives in appraisal language and sells in the language of your inventory.
- A line-by-line answer: price and stock per row, with gaps marked; an orderly partial beats a complete one that arrives late.
- Real availability: claims do not give notice; whoever answers on a Friday afternoon keeps the weekend.
How to get onto the approved supplier list and stay there has its own guide: quoting auto parts for insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Audatex?
It is Solera's damage appraisal software used by most insurers in Mexico: it is where the appraiser builds the claim estimate with the manufacturer's parts and labor times. The parts list that gets quoted with the approved suppliers comes out of the Audatex file.
What does the appraiser do with my quote?
They compare the answers from the approved suppliers: completeness, price and delivery time. The order usually goes to whoever answered in full and on time, which is why answering the same day is the price of entry.
Do I need Audatex or Mitchell to quote claims?
No: the supplier does not appraise, it answers the list the appraiser already built. What you need is to receive it in any format (a file, a PDF or a photo) and quote it in full and fast from your catalog.
Does this apply with any insurer?
The mechanics are the same across the Mexican market: an appraisal in a system (Audatex is the most common), a list by VIN and competition among the approved suppliers. The portals and the deadlines change, the logic does not.
Try it with your real catalog
Victoria is Suplifai's AI quoting agent
Send Victoria the last appraisal list you received (PDF or photo) and measure how many lines it resolves and how long it takes: a demo with your real catalog.