Posted on 07/04/2023 2:37:57 PM PDT by nickcarraway
New cars and trucks are packed with sensors and technology that protect and pamper drivers and passengers. But those features are also raising the cost of repairs after accidents.
The average cost of making damaged cars good as new has soared 36% since 2018, and may top $5,000 by the end of this year, according to Mitchell, a company that provides data and software to insurance companies and auto repair businesses. That big increase is the main reason that insurance premiums have been soaring — up 17% in the 12 months through May.
New SUVs and pickup trucks, including a rapidly growing number of electric models, have become so complex and luxurious that seemingly simple repairs can cost a small fortune, auto experts said. Insurers are often on the hook for much of those costs, leading them to raise their rates.
Materials designed to crumple or deform in a crash to protect pedestrians or passengers, for example, can be hard or impossible to repair. Many bumpers must be replaced after low-speed dings because the safety sensors embedded in them may no longer work properly after repairs. Other systems, even some that do not appear to be damaged, must be inspected or recalibrated.
“The modern digital architecture is so advanced that systems beyond point of impact are being disrupted,” said Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell. “Getting a car back to pre-loss condition is harder than at any point in history, and will only become more challenging.”
Industry experts have been particularly focused on the cost of repairing electric cars and trucks, which aren’t built like gasoline cars and have different parts. In addition, many mechanics aren’t trained to work on them. In recent months, news reports and stories shared on social media about astronomical repair bills for electric
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If you didn’t have any grinding noises, and it was the car’s first brake job, I STRONGLY suggest you go to a different shop. Seriously.
they did
change the brake fluid
cleaned the rear brakes too
feel better they’re all fixed now
even tipped the clerks ( 10 / 10 )
the mechanic ( 20 ) too
it was a holiday
walk away from her minivan and press a button on her keyfob that makes the rear door close itself.
= = =
I helped a man load his minivan. The rear door was open, but some rear seats were up.
He pushed some buttons near the top of the rear door opening, and the rear seats moved around and retracted into the floor.
Pretty cool. But how to trouble shoot and repair that???
It’s nice to see some manufacturers allow you to opt out of some of the electronic garbage.
Our newest car is a 2012 Toyota product. It may have a few bells and whistles, and the dreaded tire pressure sensors. Fortunately they are not an inspection item. All In all, the 2.4 l engine/ automatic transmission combo is peppy. I’ll run it till it breaks in half!
It seems like more and more cars around 2019-20 really started shifting to more plastic parts under the hood, and by that i mean parts that used to be metal.
2012 japanese like yours, hadn’t really started doing that yet. I have a 2013 suv and its probably one of the most solid and reliable vehicles I have ever had. I will drive it probably until one of us dies.
You’ve spoken to my greatest fear. My 2012 Scion xB is Cherry at 75,000 MI. It was a California car for 10 years, just had its first Maine winter. If some jerkwad Nails me, the insurance companies will total it and take it away for half its value or less. That’ll really piss me off. So, I drive safely, very safely!
The insurance companies pull even slicker stunts. Last year my car was damaged in an accident and the insurance company said it was totaled and offered me a small amount. The estimated repair cost was about $1000 more, but still less than having to (spend the time to find and) buy another comparable used car with low mileage.
I considered taking a lower payment and retain the title in order to get the car repaired at my expense.... until I found out that the repair shop (and any other repair shop that deals with the insurance company) would not repair such a car that had been declared "totaled" under threat of being blackballed by the insurance company.
I suspect that car was eventually repaired by someone and sold for a pretty profit.
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