Question 1

How accurate is EstiNow's Damage estimate?

Accepted Answer

EstiNow uses a computer vision model to identify damaged parts from your photos and prices them against real state labor rate cards and live parts pricing. It's a strong starting point — comparable to a first-pass shop estimate — but it hasn't physically inspected your vehicle. For a higher level of confidence, you can request an Expert Remote Review (a licensed technician reviews your photos and hand-prices the repair) where available, and every generated PDF clearly discloses whether it has been independently reviewed by a technician.

Question 2

How much does it cost, and is any of it free?

Accepted Answer

Generating your estimate requires a one-time payment before any results — pricing, itemized parts, or the PDF — are shown; there's no free preview. If a technician is available at the shop, you can also choose Expert Remote Review or upgrade an existing estimate to a Technician-Signed Report, both separate, clearly priced paid options, never bundled in silently. After payment, a limited number of free "Regenerate" attempts are available if something looks off.

Question 3

Can I use this estimate for an insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

The itemized PDF is built in a claims-familiar format (vehicle & claim information, labor rate card, damage assessment, parts & paint materials, estimate summary) and many customers do share it with their adjuster or insurer as a starting point. It is not a certified appraisal by itself — a self-service estimate is clearly labeled as not independently verified unless a licensed technician has reviewed it. If your claim needs a technician-verified or signed report, request that upgrade before relying on it as a final number.

Question 4

What photos do I need to upload?

Accepted Answer

Up to 8 photos, any angle, from any phone camera — front, rear, both sides, and close-ups of the damaged area work best. Each photo should be at least 640×480px; anything smaller is rejected with an explanation before you submit, rather than silently producing a worse estimate. Tagging each photo's angle (front, rear, side, corner) when prompted helps the AI match the right photo to the right damaged part.

Question 5

How long does it take to get my estimate?

Accepted Answer

Typically under a minute once your photos are uploaded — the vision model identifies the damage, then pricing (labor, parts, ADAS recalibration if applicable, paint materials, tax) is calculated automatically. You'll see live progress messages the whole time so it's clear the analysis is actually running, not stuck.

Question 6

Do I need my VIN to get an estimate?

Accepted Answer

No — VIN is optional. If you provide it (typed or scanned via your camera), we decode it to confirm year/make/model/trim and pull factory-equipped safety systems (like blind-spot or forward-collision sensors) directly from NHTSA data, which helps price ADAS recalibration correctly. Without a VIN you can still enter your vehicle details manually.

Question 7

What if I have a dashboard warning light but no fault code?

Accepted Answer

You don't need an OBD fault code to get an estimate — just describe the symptom (e.g. "check engine light" or "grinding noise when braking") in the notes field. If you do have a fault code, entering it lets us look up the likely repair directly; otherwise, mechanical issues are flagged for inspection and billed as diagnostic labor until a technician confirms the actual fix.

Question 8

Is my vehicle and photo data kept private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your photos and estimate are tied to your account, not shared publicly, and are only ever accessed by you or (if you request a review) the shop's technician handling it. No pricing or itemized detail is ever shown to anyone until payment is complete.

Question 9

Can a real technician review my estimate instead of just the AI?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in two ways: submit your photos directly for Expert Remote Review (skips the self estimate entirely — a technician hand-prices it from your photos), or generate the estimate first and then upgrade it to a Technician-Signed Report for a licensed technician's sign-off. Both require a technician to be available at the shop — if you don't see these options, the shop currently has neither enabled.

Question 10

What if I think the estimate is wrong, or it's not even my vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Every estimate has a "Report a data error or dispute this estimate" option. It's always free to use and goes directly to the shop, whether or not you've paid.

Frequently Asked Questions