Experiencing delays in car repairs? You’re not alone
If your car is in the shop and it feels like it’s taking a lot longer than normal to get it back, know that you’re not alone. Wait times are up at repair shops all over the country, and though it’s inconvenient the blame may not fall on your insurer to cover any higher-than-normal costs.
The pandemic set off a domino effect of challenges: New-car production delays led to a smaller supply, which led to drivers turning to the used car market, which led to an uptick in used car costs, which led to drivers keeping their cars longer. (In 2021, the average age of cars on the road hit a record high.)
Older cars remaining in service led to more repairs, which naturally means longer wait times at repair shops.
“Repair facilities — whether dealerships or independently owned — have struggled in acquiring parts,” David Bennett, repair systems manager at AAA, wrote in an email to Cars.com. “Due to the shortage of new and used vehicles, many consumers are opting to keep their vehicles longer, and as a result, repair facilities are seeing an increase in business.”
There’s also a shortage of parts, highlighted by the semiconductor shortage that initially slowed the production of new vehicles. This Time magazine piece spotlights the issue:
“In the Seattle suburbs, garage owner Bryan Kelley waited on parts for 60 to 90 days on two separate occasions while fixing pick-up trucks. One of the parts, a crankshaft position sensor, used to take a half hour to get from the distribution center, said Kelley, owner of Valley Automotive Repair and Electric. The wait got so long that the customer was ready to give up on his Dodge Ram 1500, he said.”
And, finally, even when parts become available, there aren’t enough workers to make the repairs.
These issues have led to an increase in the number of complaints filed with the OIC’s Consumer Protection unit, where analysts typically have around 40 cases open at a time. Right now, that number is closer to 180, fueled in no small part by consumers reporting issues getting their cars repaired within their expected timeframe.
In many instances, however, the issues aren’t the responsibility of the insurance company.
The slowed-down process of having your car repaired can lead to additional expenses that may exceed what’s covered by your auto insurance policy. Insurance contracts include limitations in coverage; for example, if your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, it comes with preset daily and maximum limit choices.
The delays on repairs can mean you’re more likely to hit the maximum limits, and insurance companies aren’t required — or obligated — to extend that time limit due to these issues.
Insurers are, however, required to meet their obligations in paying for repairs up to the amount specified in your policy. If you feel your insurance company isn’t holding up its end of the contract, you can file a complaint with the OIC here.
