Collision repair guide
What Is Frame Damage?
Frame or structural damage describes collision-related change to load-bearing or structural areas of a vehicle. It cannot be confirmed reliably from appearance alone.
General information: This guide does not replace emergency, legal, insurance, mechanical, or vehicle-specific safety advice.
Possible signs
Visible distortion, unusual panel gaps, or changes in how the vehicle tracks can justify inspection, but these signs are not a diagnosis.
Inspection and repair planning
A shop evaluates the affected structure and vehicle construction before defining authorized correction work.
Insurance considerations
Structural repair documentation may be part of a claim. The insurer determines coverage; the shop defines the repair recommendation.