01 — Getting Started
Quick Start Guide
New to Autoimate? Follow these five steps and you'll have your first estimate submitted in under 10 minutes.
1
Set up your shop rates
Go to Dashboard → Settings and enter your RR, repair, and paint rates. These are applied automatically to every estimate you create. You can also set insurer-specific rates for IAG, Allianz, NRMA and others.
2
Create a new job
From the Dashboard, click New Job. Enter the vehicle details, customer information, and claim number. The job is saved automatically as you type.
3
Open the Estimator
Click the Estimator button on the job. This opens the full AI-powered quoting tool where you'll build your estimate.
4
Upload photos and run AI analysis
Upload up to 5 damage photos in the Photos tab, tap the damaged zones on the vehicle diagram, then click Analyse & Generate Estimate. The AI will generate a comprehensive Crashzone-format quote in seconds.
5
Review and submit
Review all line items, adjust anything the AI missed, then click Submit to Insurer. The quote goes directly to the claims officer — no email, no PDF, no fax required.
02 — Setup
Setting Your Rates
Your rates are the foundation of every estimate. Getting these right ensures your quotes are accurate and profitable from day one.
1
Go to Dashboard → Settings tab
Your shop rates are stored securely and applied automatically to every estimate.
2
Enter your base rates
Set your Remove & Refit (RR), Repair, and Paint rates per hour. These are your standard rates used for self-pay and non-insurer jobs.
3
Set insurer-specific rates
Different insurers have different approved rate schedules. When you select an insurer in the estimator, your rates automatically switch to the correct schedule for that insurer.
4
Set your parts markup
Enter your standard parts markup percentage. This is applied automatically to all parts lines in your estimates.
Tip: Your rates are automatically applied to every estimate. When you select an insurer, the correct approved rate schedule is loaded for that insurer automatically.
03 — The Estimator
Creating an Estimate
The Autoimate estimator is built around the Crashzone 2.0 format — the same format used across the Australian smash repair industry. Every estimate follows insurer-standard structure with individual line items for labour, parts, sublets, and other charges.
Details Tab
Enter vehicle details, customer information, insurer, claim number, and your rates. This information flows through to the quote PDF automatically.
Photos Tab
Upload damage photos for AI analysis (up to 5) and general vehicle condition photos. Also where you generate the Damage Report.
Estimate Tabs
RR, Repair, Paint, Parts, Sublets and Other — each category has its own tab. Add, edit, or delete lines manually at any time.
OPS Tab
Operations and schedule lookups, OEM procedure requirements, and write-off calculator. Use this for complex structural jobs.
Tip: The estimator auto-saves every time you make a change. You can close and reopen an estimate at any time — nothing is lost.
04 — AI Analysis
Using the AI Estimator
The AI analysis generates a comprehensive Crashzone-format estimate based on your photos and vehicle details. It applies your rates, includes all mandatory cascade operations, and flags ADAS and safety system requirements automatically.
1
Fill in the Details tab first
Make sure vehicle make, model, year, and insurer are filled in before running analysis. The AI uses this information to apply the correct rate schedule and vehicle-specific rules.
2
Upload damage photos
Go to the Photos tab and upload up to 5 clear photos of the damaged areas. Wide shots showing the full panel work better than extreme close-ups. Tap the damaged zones on the vehicle diagram.
3
Click Analyse & Generate Estimate
The AI will analyse the photos and generate a full estimate with individual line items. This typically takes 15-30 seconds depending on the complexity of the damage.
4
Review and adjust
Always review the AI output. Add any lines the AI missed, remove anything not applicable, and adjust hours or amounts as needed. You are the qualified estimator — the AI is your assistant.
5
Generate a Damage Report (optional)
In the Photos tab, scroll down to the Damage Report section. Click Generate Report and the AI will write a professional damage description based on your estimate lines. This appears on the quote PDF.
No photos? You can still run the AI analysis without photos — just fill in the vehicle details and select the damaged zones. The AI will generate an estimate based on the zone selection and vehicle type.
05 — Photos App
Autoimate Photos App
The Autoimate Photos app lets you upload vehicle and damage photos directly from your phone — at the job site, in the workshop, or anywhere. Photos attach automatically to the correct job.
1
Install the app on your phone
On your Dashboard, click the 📲 Get Photos App button in the sidebar. Scan the QR code with your phone camera. On iPhone open in Safari → Share → Add to Home Screen. On Android open in Chrome → Menu → Add to Home Screen.
2
Set your Company ID
First time only — tap Settings and enter your Company ID. This links all your photos to your shop. You only do this once and it stays saved on your phone.
3
Enter the quote number
Type the job number (e.g. 57) into the main screen. No need to type the full JOB-0057 format — just the number is fine.
4
Upload photos and send
Add vehicle condition photos (up to 50) and AI damage analysis photos (up to 5) separately. Tap Send — photos appear on the job in the estimator within seconds.
06 — Insurer Flow
Receiving a Request for Quote
When an insurer sends you a Request for Quote (RFQ) through Autoimate, you'll receive an email notification and the job will appear in your dashboard automatically.
1
Check your dashboard
RFQ jobs appear in your dashboard with an "Awaiting Quote" status. The job already has the vehicle details, claim number, and insurer pre-filled from the claims officer.
2
Open the estimator
Click the job then open the estimator. Vehicle and insurer details are pre-populated. Add your photos, run the AI analysis, review and adjust.
3
Submit your quote
When your estimate is complete, click Submit to Insurer. The quote — including all line items, photos, and the damage report — goes directly to the claims officer. No separate email or PDF needed.
Note: Once submitted, your quote is received instantly by the claims officer. The full estimate, photos, and damage report are all included automatically.
07 — Assessment
Understanding the Assessment Process
If the insurer assigns an independent assessor to review your quote, the assessor will access your estimate through the Autoimate Assessor Portal. You will be notified when the assessment is complete.
1
Assessment returned
When the assessor submits their findings, your dashboard updates and the estimator shows the assessment panel with any adjustments made to your lines.
2
Review the assessment
Open the estimator — each line shows the assessor's decision: approved, adjusted, or rejected. The adjusted total is displayed alongside your original quote.
3
Accept or dispute
If you agree with the assessment, click Accept & Generate Invoice. If you disagree with any line, click the line to dispute it — enter your reason and the dispute goes back to the assessor for review.
4
Dispute resolution
The assessor reviews your dispute and responds. You will see their response in the estimator. Once resolved, accept the final assessment and proceed to invoice.
Note: The dispute process is fully documented and tracked through the platform, making resolution straightforward for all parties.
08 — Invoice & Payment
Generating Your Invoice
Once the assessment is accepted, generating your invoice and submitting it to the insurer for payment takes a single click.
1
Accept the assessment
In the estimator, click Accept & Generate Invoice. This marks the estimate as authorised and returns you to the dashboard.
2
Generate the invoice
On the dashboard, find the job and click Generate Invoice. The invoice is created automatically using the assessed total, your shop details, and your bank details.
3
Invoice sent to claims
The invoice goes directly to the claims officer through the platform. You'll see a confirmation — no separate email required. The claims officer will authorise payment from their dashboard.
4
Payment authorised
Once the claims officer authorises payment, the job status updates to Paid in your dashboard. You can view and print the invoice at any time from the Invoices tab.
09 — FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions from repairers using Autoimate.
Is Autoimate connected to any insurance company?
Autoimate is an independent software platform that works with all insurers including IAG, Allianz, NRMA, Suncorp, QBE, and others. We are designed to streamline the repair and claims process for repairers, insurers, and assessors alike.
Can the insurer see me editing my estimate before I submit?
Your estimate is private until you click Submit to Insurer. The insurer receives your quote only after you deliberately submit it. You can edit, adjust, and review as many times as you like beforehand.
Does the AI use my rates or insurer rates?
The AI applies the rates set in your shop settings. When you select an insurer, it automatically switches to the correct approved rate schedule for that insurer, ensuring your quote is accurate and compliant.
What if the AI misses something?
You can add, edit, or delete any line item manually. The AI is a starting point — you are the qualified estimator. Always review the AI output and adjust as needed before submitting. The AI improves with every vehicle type added to the knowledge base.
Can I use Autoimate without the insurer flow?
Yes. You can create estimates for self-pay jobs, cash repairs, or any job that doesn't involve an insurer. Simply create a job without a claim number and use the estimator to generate your quote. The PDF and invoice features work for all job types.
How do I get my Company ID for the Photos app?
Your Company ID is provided by Autoimate when your account is approved. If you don't have it, contact us and we'll confirm it for you. It's a short unique number linked to your workshop.
Is my data secure?
Yes. All data is stored securely in an Australian-based cloud database with daily automated backups. Your estimates, customer details, and photos are never shared with any insurer or third party without your submission. You own your data.
Can I do a supplementary estimate if hidden damage is found?
Yes. Once repairs are underway and additional damage is found, you can create a supplementary estimate from the dashboard. The supplementary goes through the same assessment and approval flow as the original quote.
Need more help?
Our team is here to help you get the most out of Autoimate. Reach out and we'll get back to you promptly.
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