Accidents can happen whether we like it or not. In the event of an accident, one usually asks if everyone is fine and not hurt. If everyone is, the next thing your mind worries about is your car. You probably will think of the damages, possible repairs, and car accident repair cost averages. It can be a hassle if you have no idea about the cost of repairs. The car accident repair cost averages can vary depending on a lot of factors. Minor repairs can cost around $300 to $800 but the price could go up to $1,500 if it needs repaint. If the damage on the car affects its drivability, the repair cost can start somewhere at $4,000 but if the damage leaves it undrivable, it can go up to $6,000 or more.
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No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. So even if you haven’t been in an accident – we hope you won’t ever be in one – it is a good idea to know about car accident repair cost averages so you can prepare for it and will have an idea what to expect when it happens.
Car Accident Repair Cost Averages: How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Crashed Car?
When you get involved in a car accident and you come out without any scratches or injury, you can consider yourself lucky. However, your car might not be that lucky. It might have sustained some damages that can leave you worried and stressed just thinking about all the possible repairs and expenses you have to deal with.
If you wonder about the car accident repair cost averages, the repair cost of your damaged vehicle can vary depending on what type of vehicle you own and how badly it was damaged. It depends on whether your car only has a few dents or scratches or if it has sustained serious damages that make it no longer drivable.
Here is our list of the possible damages and the repair costs to give you an idea about the car accident repair cost averages.
- Minor damages
If you have been involved in a minor accident with your car sustaining minor damages like dents or scratches and it does not need any repaint, the repair cost can start at $100. Paintless dent repair can be usually done when there are no creased metals and no visible breaks in the paint. Minor scratches that will only require buffing can cost around $50 to $100 while small dings can be repaired for around $100. For dents that are deeper that will require replacing sections of the vehicle, the repair cost can go from a couple of hundred dollars up to a thousand dollars or more.
If another car ran into you or if you ran into a pole or fence that left damages on your front or rear bumper, its repair cost can go between $300 and $800. However, the price can go up to $1,200 if the bumper damage also involves the car’s hood. If the rear bumper also includes repairs to the rear quarter panel or door, the repair cost will be from $1,200 up to $1,800.
If the minor damages will require a repaint, the car accident repair cost averages can change. The estimated repair cost for minor damages that need repainting can go from $500 up to $1,500. The cost can go higher depending on which panel has been damaged. Keep in mind that the repair cost can vary depending on the repair shop that will work on the damages.
- Windshield or window damages
Both minor and major accidents usually cause damages to the vehicle’s windshields and windows. Windshield cracks can be repaired for around $30 to $150. But if the damage you sustained in the accident requires you to replace your window or the entire windshield, the windshield replacement can cost you around $160 to $600 while the window replacement can go between $100 and $400 per window. Replacing the rear windshield might cost a bit higher than the front.
- Multiple panel damage
There are instances where an accident causes damage to more than one car panel. If this happens, the repair cost can become a bit expensive. You are expected to pay $1,500 at minimum for the repairs and the cost can go up to $4,000. These car accident repair cost averages can be a bit pricey since the panels will have to be repaired or replaced. If the panels can be fixed without replacing, the technicians will have to fix it using body fillers and will have to sand and paint.
- Frame damage
A serious car accident that causes an impact to your vehicle can sometimes lead to frame damage. This can happen when the accident involves speed and usually happens with front end collisions. The size of the vehicle or object that you hit or the speed at which you are travelling can greatly affect the gravity of the damage. The vehicle can become crumpled and you might even see leaking fluids on the road surface.
Fixing a damaged frame can cost you between $600 and $10,000. It is best to let the professionals handle the repairs since the car will have to be inspected thoroughly. There might be some internal issues with its brakes and steering. There are also instances where the radiator had been crushed.
To repair a damaged frame, the auto body shop will have to use frame racks and other professional grade tools to bend fractured metal as close to its original shape. Computerized measuring tools will also be used to realign the vehicle’s bent frame properly since the task will need very accurate measurements.
- Suspension system damage
For suspension system damages caused by an accident such as hitting a large pothole, the estimated repair cost for it is between $1,000 and $5,000. The repair cost can still go higher if the entire suspension system needs to be repaired.
- Engine damage
The engine can become damaged in a major accident. A major collision can leave the engine with sustained damages even if it is placed deep in the engine bay. Although the car frame can protect the engine from small accidents and fender benders, it won’t be able to when it comes to major collisions.
The engine damage repair cost can go between $6,000 and $10,000. Fixing a damaged engine involves replacing expensive parts and a lot of hours of labor to reconstruct it. The car accident repair cost averages can still go up since the same collision that damaged your engine could have also damaged many important parts of your car. The engine block could be in a bad shape, the components that make the engine work can be damaged as well and will need some repairs.
If you end up having to spend more, if you have insurance, your auto insurance company will most likely choose to total the damaged vehicle rather than try to repair it. To determine the total amount of damage, the approximate amount of labor and parts needed to repair the damaged engine, a trusted auto body shop that has the required equipment will have to run several diagnostics and inspections.
- Internal damage
There are instances where the inside of the car is damaged in accidents. The car accident repair cost averages can vary depending on the vehicle you own and the extent of the damage.
If the accident caused damages on your seatbelts and passive restraint systems, the repair cost may start at $50 to $100. However, the cost can go much higher if the repair will involve replacements of the passive restraint system. Replacing the deployed airbags in an accident can start at $1,000 to $1,500. If your car’s air conditioner has sustained damages, minor repairs for it can cost you around $200 to $700 but extensive repairs will cost $1,000 or more depending on what vehicle you own.
Car Accident Repair Cost Averages: Is it Worth Fixing a Crashed Car?
Car accidents are something you hope you won’t ever experience. But unfortunately, it can happen to anyone and anywhere. The things that can happen after an accident can be overwhelming and stressful. You will have to deal with a lot of stress, time, and money. That is why it is important that you are always prepared in case you get in a car accident.
Aside from knowing the car accident repair cost averages, you also need to know your car insurance policy. The knowing-your-auto-policy part is often overlooked and car owners only tend to read their insurance policy’s fine prints after getting into a car accident. It should not be the case.
Knowing your car insurance policy before your car even leaves your home is a must. You have to know what your car insurance policy covers. Whether you have collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or gap insurance. You need to know the deductible and the fine prints on your policy so you can make the best decisions after the accident. Knowing these details can save you a lot of trouble later on.
Assuming you did all these and know all the specific details of your car insurance policy and after the accident, the car had been checked and was given a total damage repair cost of $10,000 with a $1,000 deductible, will fixing it be worth it?
Keep in mind that auto body shops can charge you for $100 per day for storage while you decide so you have to do it fast. You need to consider a lot of factors to determine whether it will be worth it to repair your damaged car or to just sell it. Factors like how long will it take to repair your car, the costs and the availability of the replacement parts, or the rental car bills while your car is in the shop.
You also need to consider that a repaired damaged car tends to lose up to thirty percent of its value before the accident. If before the accident your car had a used car value of $30,000, it could only be worth $21,000 or maybe less after all of the repairs.
Deciding whether you will repair your wrecked car or not really depends on the damage and the coverage of your auto insurance policy. There are times that repairing a damaged car is not the best option. You can just opt to take the insurance settlement check and sell your damaged, unrepaired car to damaged car buyers.
If you still want to have your car repaired, you can go to the repair shop of your choice if your insurance permits it. You don’t have to go to the repair shop that is recommended by your insurance. In choosing one, you need to do your research, get estimates from various shops, and read the shops’ reviews.
Car Accident Repair Cost Averages: How much do insurance rates increase after an accident?
Knowing the car accident repair cost averages and what is covered in your auto insurance policy can be useful when you get involved in an accident. However, you need to know that when you get into an accident and you are the one at fault which caused someone to be injured, the rates of your auto insurance will increase for up to 46 percent or more than $1,000 on average. Fortunately, there are a lot of auto insurance companies that have safe-driving or accident forgiveness programs that give you rewards if you’ve been accident-free or waive the rate increases in the event of an accident. You just need to find the best ones.
Car accident repair cost averages are guides and the prices can vary depending on a lot of factors like the extent of the damage and the year, make, and model of your car. Common cars might cost a bit cheaper to repair compared to the rare or uncommon ones. This is because common cars have parts that are available everywhere and are easy to repair or replace. Rare vehicles tend to have parts that are more pricey and more difficult to find. If your car is already in a poor condition, it might be best to sell it than have it repaired.