The general population's understanding of damage levels on a car is quite different from an auto body technician's. When you get into a car accident, do you know how to speak "car repair technician"? Telling the technician on the phone that you were just in a "fender bender" means something to the technician that typically does not mean the same to you. Here are some of the common phrases used to describe car damage, and how your technician hears and perceives them before seeing the actual levels of damage done to your vehicle:

"Fender Bender"

When you say "fender bender" on the phone, your technician imagines level 1 damage to either your front or rear fender, and possibly to either end of the vehicle as well. He or she imagines a bent fender that was bent when you hit somebody or something, or somebody hit the back of your vehicle or stopped short in front of your vehicle. This is auto body services 101; an easy fix.

When you bring the car in and your front or back end is completely totaled, or someone smacked into the side of your car and crushed a door, that is neither a "fender bender" nor an easy fix. That is levels two to four damage, and it is going to take some serious work to correct and restore your vehicle. If your technician is already backed up with jobs, a simple fender bender is not a problem. Something more extensive is a problem because it will require extra bodies in the shop and/or a lot more time to complete.

"It Is an Accordion"

When your car is two power crunches away from salvage, you say that it is "an accordion." This is levels four and five damage, and it may not be fixable. Still, if you insist on bringing into the shop, the technician will look at it. When you bring it in, and it is not that difficult a job, nor is it "an accordion," everyone (including you!) will breathe a sigh of relief. More or less what you have then is just "really crunched up."

Replacing the hood and front panels or replacing the back car panels and trunk hood is a lot easier than requesting someone to fix your car-turned-accordion. Even if the front and back panels and hood have to be replaced, it is still better than "an accordion." There is also a very good chance you would not be walking around and talking if your car was that badly damaged.

Contact a company like Sam's Automotive Reconditioning Center for more information and assistance.