Rivian Repair Article - NYT: Why Car Repairs Have Become So Expensive

[Fmc]

I live in Louisiana and the only thing worse than heat, humidity, and hurricanes are insurance premiums.

Why Car Repairs Have Become So Expensive
More technology and creature comforts, as well as a parade of new electric vehicles, have complicated the job after accidents.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/business/car-repairs-electric-vehicles.html

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[Sgt Beavis]

First off, hello my Louisiana brother.
The Wall St Journal had a similar article on this just last Saturday. Repair costs had me leaning away from buying a new R1T to replace the one that was wrecked early last month. But after reading how much repair costs have climbed across the entire industry had me reconsidering. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can handle the increasing insurance costs but I know not many others are. It’s something else EV makers like Tesla and Rivian should seriously take into account in the longer term.

 

[Fmc]

in 25 years of driving, I have never had an insurance claim but there is no way to self insurance. Also we have attorneys that buy 8888 Jell-O shots because Louisiana drivers are bad.

https://www.wdsu.com/article/baton-rouge-lawyer-jell-o-shots-college-world-series/44346552

 

[moosetags]

If your vehicle does not have a lien on it, there is a way to sort of self insure. The state only requires liability insurance. Collision and comprehensive are at your option. In our case, we are insured with Allstate. These figures are for a six month policy period. For the R1T, we pay a total premium of $644. Of this figure, $246 is for liability and $398 is for collision and comprehensive.

Brian

 

[Fmc]

For a FL policy that is not terrible. I pay 250 for liability on my 2010 wrangler and 750 for comprehensive on my financed M3. I am thinking my R1S will be close to 1k for 6 months.

 

[John J Sullivan]

I live in Louisiana and the only thing worse than heat, humidity, and hurricanes are insurance premiums.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/business/car-repairs-electric-vehicles.html

How were you able to get Rivian to sell you an R1S in LA? I have been waiting for one for over 2 years. The car dealers in the state have been able block all Rivian sales in the state.

 

[Fmc]

How were you able to get Rivian to sell you an R1S in LA? I have been waiting for one for over 2 years. The car dealers in the state have been able block all Rivian sales in the state.

I still have yet to receive mine. But there are two in Lake Charles. One R1S preorder. one R1T ordered in May 2023 delivered in June. Both were delivered via flatbed from Houston. There is also one in NO who used a TX address. I am not sure how they circumvented the double sales tax issue. TX charges sales tax at point of sale, therefore I had to drive to MS to pick up my Tesla. Somehow with a dealer network this is not an issue (ie buying a car in TX and registering in La does not create double sales tax) but buy a TSLA or RIVN and double the sales tax.

 

[thrill]

The real takeaway from that article was:

Other data suggests that electric vehicles fare relatively well. About 18 percent of gasoline cars involved in crashes are totaled, while only about 6 percent of battery-powered vehicles are deemed unrepairable after accidents, according to Mitchell.​

 

[zymolysis]

The real takeaway from that article was:

Other data suggests that electric vehicles fare relatively well. About 18 percent of gasoline cars involved in crashes are totaled, while only about 6 percent of battery-powered vehicles are deemed unrepairable after accidents, according to Mitchell.​

Did they account for age? Or for initial cost? The nation-wide fleet of EVs will have an average age far less than the fleet of ICE vehicles. A $25,000 repair on a 1 year old $90,000 vehicle makes sense. But maybe not if that vehicle is 4 or 5 years old.

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