Page 45 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – January 2019

New Vehicle Technologies Double Repair Bills for Minor Collisions
AAA finds safety systems can add an extra $3,000 in repair costs
By Kimberly Schwind
New vehicle safety technology offers many safety benefits, but can cost twice as much to repair following a collision, according to new research from AAA. Even minor incidents that cause damage to this technology can add up to $3,000 in extra repair costs.
“Advanced safety systems are much more common today, with many coming as standard equipment, even on base models,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “It’s critical that drivers understand what technology their vehicle has, how it performs and how much it could cost to repair should something happen.”
Costly Damage
One-in-three Americans is unable to afford an unexpected repair bill of just $500, according to previous AAA research. However, this recent study found the repair bill for a minor front or rear collision on a car with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can run as high as $5,300, almost two-and-a-half times the repair cost for a vehicle without these systems.
While actual repair costs vary by vehicle make and model, the type and location of the sensor and where the work is performed, AAA’s research determined typical cost ranges for ADAS repairs.
“It’s critical that drivers understand what technology their vehicle has, how it performs and how much
it could cost to repair should something happen.”
These costs are in addition to any bodywork required following a collision:
Front radar sensors used with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems:
$900 to $1,300
Rear radar sensors used with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert systems:
$850 to $2,050
Front camera sensors used with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keeping systems (does not
include the cost of a replacement windshield):
$850 to $1,900
Front, side mirror or rear camera sensors used with around-view systems:
$500 to $1,100
Front or rear ultrasonic sensors used with parking assist systems:
$500 to $1,300
Windshield damage is especially common, with more than 14.5 million replaced annually. Many safety systems rely on cameras positioned behind the windshield that require calibration when the glass is replaced. In addition, some automakers require the
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