- DAF (Dealer Authorization Form)
- The inspection completed when a unit first arrives at the dealership, documenting its condition and any issues before it is sold.
- PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection)
- The final inspection performed before a unit is delivered to the customer, to catch and resolve issues while they are still warrantable.
- FRC (Flat-Rate Code)
- A manufacturer-specific code that defines the standard labor time allowed for a given repair. FRC systems are not universal — each manufacturer maintains its own set of codes.
- Warranty claim
- A request for reimbursement submitted to a manufacturer for covered repair work performed on a unit that is under warranty.
- Claim line (FRC line)
- An individual line item within a claim, tied to a specific FRC code. Each line is approved or denied independently by the manufacturer.
- Denial
- A manufacturer’s rejection of a claim or claim line — commonly caused by a wrong FRC code, a missing or unclear photo, or insufficient documentation.
- Appeal
- The process of contesting a denied claim line by correcting the underlying issue and resubmitting it to the manufacturer for another decision.
- Warranty reimbursement
- The payment a dealer receives from a manufacturer for approved warranty labor and parts on a covered repair.
- Extended warranty
- Coverage purchased to extend protection beyond the manufacturer’s original warranty period, through OEM or aftermarket providers.
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- The unique identifier for a unit and the primary key used to track it and all of its warranty claims.
- Manufacturer portal
- The online system where dealers or processors submit and track warranty claims. Each manufacturer runs its own portal with its own rules.
- Warranty labor rate
- The hourly rate a manufacturer reimburses for warranty labor, which may differ from a dealer’s retail service rate.
- Goodwill claim
- A claim a manufacturer may approve outside strict warranty terms as a customer-relations gesture, typically case by case.
- Photo documentation
- The per-claim-line photos (typically a close-up and a context shot) required to support a claim. Photo quality directly affects approval rates.
- DMS (Dealer Management System)
- The software that runs a dealership’s core operations — sales, service scheduling, accounting. A DMS typically does not handle the warranty claims workflow end to end.
- Insurance claim
- A claim for damage from collision, weather, theft, or liability — distinct from a manufacturer warranty claim.
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