As modern vehicles grow more and more reliant on advanced technology, an unpleasant side effect reported by AAA is that even the most minor of collisions could now cost drivers thousands in repair costs.
AAA’s research shows that vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) need to have those services recalibrated following minor accidents, such as a chipped windshield. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and similar systems can run customers up to $3,000 in extra repair costs beyond any physical repairs needed. AAA determined that the repair bill for a minor front or rear collision for an ADAS-enabled car can run as high as $5,300.
Unfortunately, the same report noted that one in three Americans could not afford an unexpected repair bill of even $500.
“Advanced safety systems are much more common today, with many coming as standard equipment, even on base models,” John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair, said. “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.”
The question for drivers is going to become, then, whether the safety benefits offered by these technologies can offset the inevitable costs. After all, referencing back to the chipped windshield example: 14.5 million windshields are replaced in the United States each year.
“It is not unusual for windshields to get chipped or cracked, especially for drivers who commute on a daily basis,” Nielsen said. “This may be an eyesore on a regular car, but when it falls in the line of sight of a camera or the driver, it becomes a safety issue that needs immediate attention by a facility qualified to work on these systems.”
Other concerns that become necessary with such technology include making sure repair shops know how to calibrate damaged systems properly. In that regard, AAA recommends drivers put in the extra work to verify whether the facility can do these repairs and to request proof of the work once complete.