The Breakdown: Vehicle Repair Costs in U.S. Increased Slightly for First Time in Years

Motorists trust in the capability of their vehicles to take them from destination A to destination B. Whether it’s a beater or luxury car, as long as the oil is changed regularly and the tires rotated, there should be nothing cosmetic to worry about, right?

Well, that’s not exactly true. No matter how well you take care of your car, something can (and will) go wrong. Nothing is a better reminder of that than when the “check engine” light glows on the dashboard. With a groan and a prayer, you know that you need to take your car in for an appointment with the mechanic. What makes it worse is if your check engine light is on and, out of nowhere, another car rams into you. Though your insurance will cover the costs related to the accident, it won’t cover costs outside of it. This means you’re responsible for maintenance, not your insurance.

Regardless, you should have a car insurance policy, especially with how easy it is to compare car insurance rates on CoverHound; well, that and the fact that it’s required by state law!

Any how, to get back to the subject at hand: vehicle repair costs. What your insurance doesn’t cover, you are responsible for. This doesn’t sound so bad until you realize that average vehicle repair costs have risen 2.7 percent ($398) as of 2016.

Why the Uptick in Costs?

According to Automotive News, vehicle repair costs have risen due to the rise in price of vehicle parts and labor costs. As the New Republic points out, another reason for the rise in repair costs is because automakers have “over the past decade […] increasingly patented replacement parts for their vehicles, from fenders to headlights to mirrors. Instead of having a choice of generic parts after an accident, auto repair shops must use patented parts from the manufacturer—and consumers pay the price for it.”

This increases the amount of time it takes for your vehicle to be repaired and will in some cases affect the cost of your premiums. If your vehicle is more expensive to repair, the cost of your insurance premiums will need to make up the difference.

High-Tech Car, Higher Repair Cost

Do you drive a high-tech vehicle? According to ASQ: The Global Voice of Quality, the more high-tech your car is, the more you can expect to pay in its upkeep and repair costs. Hands-free infotainment systems, GPS and other features have made vehicle repairs more expensive too as it now about more than the taillight or bumper, it’s about fixing damaged technology too.

General garage mechanics aren’t trained to fix cracked GPS screens or back bumper cameras. To have these issues repaired, you will need to make an appointment with your vehicle dealer, such as with Tesla or Honda. More and more motorists are booking maintenance appointments with their auto dealers in an effort to make sure the parts and work they need are accounted for. Business loss suffered by mechanics because of this raises fees; it’s a cyclical system.

If you’re not willing to pay an insurance premium, you’ll be stuck paying the full amount for a repair after an accident. Don’t make this costly mistake. Visit CoverHound today to sign up for a car insurance plan that will cover you when you need it most.