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AutoProtect is reporting a “marked rise” in demand for cosmetic repairs for vehicles involved in accidents.
It said the demand is being driven by the increased complexity of modern vehicles.
“Even relatively minor damage near sensors and cameras that support safety features already common on most new cars is contributing to the rising cost of accidental damage,” said AutoProtect chief revenue officer, Mike Edwards
“However, as we have seen from our Shine! Protect service claims, where car drivers with cosmetic damage have access to repair methods that determine whether a panel can be repaired to maintain safety technologies, it has undoubtedly saved successful claimants money, time and inconvenience, and these claims are rising.”
“Bumpers and mirrors often house sensors and cameras that support technologies such as intelligent speed assistance (ISA), autonomous emergency braking and advanced distraction warnings, all of which are particularly vulnerable to minor damage.,” he said.
AutoProtect said increasing vehicle complexity was a key factor in an 8% surge in accidental-damage motor insurance claim repair costs in Q1, with the average repair cost rising to £3,699, according to the ABI.
“Repairing bodywork without compromising these safety-critical technologies has become one of the industry’s biggest challenges. It’s not simply about avoiding disturbance to sensors; it’s about having access to proven repair methods that determine whether a panel can be safely repaired in line with manufacturer guidelines, without affecting the performance of these systems,” he said.
