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"Who Pays For What?" Surveys

The “Who Pays for What?” surveys are administered quarterly to auto body shops nationwide, asking about billing and payment practices for about 100 not-included procedures and estimate line items.
Two collision repair technicians in work overalls review a printed document beside a white vehicle on a lift, one pointing to damage where the rear bumper cover has been removed.

“Who Pays for What?” Survey: Average Median Non-DRP Labor Rates Reach $68 Body, $93 Frame, and $127 Mechanical

The 2026 survey’s percentile charts show shops where their own rates fall for each insurer, and 44% of shops report a separate structural rate.
Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network
Dark red sedan with severe front-end collision damage, including a crumpled hood, broken headlight, and exposed radiator, parked on a grassy roadside.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: Total-Loss Admin Fees Are Paid 75% of the Time, Itemized Charges Far Less

Clearing personal data and parts cart storage, two newer total-loss charges, are paid 37% and 33% of the time.
Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network
A technician in work gloves uses a slide hammer on the exposed front frame rail of a damaged dark blue vehicle in a collision repair shop, with a welder and gas cylinder in the background.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: Shops Are Paid to Rent the Jig More Often Than to Assemble It

Of shops that negotiate for them, 61% are paid always or most of the time for jig rental, compared with 42% for jig assembly.
Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network
The rear bumper and quarter panel of a dark blue car are crumpled and torn open from a collision, exposing wiring and structural components underneath.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: Nearly Half of Shops Never Bill for the Final Measurement

Shops bill for the pre-measure far more often, and are paid for it more often too.
Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network
A mechanic in blue and grey coveralls disconnects a car battery mounted in the trunk of a silver sedan, with stacked tires visible in the shop background.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: The Frame and Mechanical Procedures Shops Get Paid For Most Often

Battery D&R tops the rankings at 80%, but one that should always be paid is slipping.
Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network
A gloved technician uses a peening tool to straighten the frame rail on a vehicle's rocker panel in a repair shop.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: Frame and Mechanical Procedures Get Paid — When Shops Ask

The latest survey finds these procedures are paid far more often than shops ask to be paid for them.
Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network
A technician in a red-and-gray striped shirt uses a handheld orbital sander on a maroon vehicle panel, with white sanded patches visible where the finish has been feathered down. The panel is removed from the vehicle and mounted on a metal stand.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: More Shops Shift Priming Duties to Painters as Insurers Push Back on Blend Time

Data shows feather, prime, and block moving to refinish technicians, but insurer acceptance of updated blend formulas is sliding.
John Yoswick
Who-pays-for-what-webinar-frame-and-mechanical-labor

Watch Now: Why Mechanical and Frame Labor Should Be a Growing Part of Your Shop's Revenue

Learn how to use real "Who Pays for What?" survey data to get paid for every operation you perform.
Autobody News Staff
Who-Pays-for-What-mechanical-frame-labor-webinar

Free Webinar: Capture Missed Mechanical & Frame Labor Revenue

Learn how to use real "Who Pays for What?" survey data to get paid for every operation you perform.
Autobody News Staff
seat-belt-inspections-Who-Pays-for-What

‘Who Pays for What’: Shops Increasingly Billing, Being Paid for Seat Belt Inspections

More shops than ever are inspecting seat belts after a repair and getting paid for it by the eight largest insurers in the U.
Autobody News Staff

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