Minor damage repair estimate: $49,880!

[axelsasso]

The video on the first page of the red R1T being repaired is my truck. Mike did the repair for $2200. I was back in his shop sometime later and he had a R1S in his shop with damage similar to the OP. That repair was about $15K. Mike, the shop owner told me that the R1S took way more work to access than a R1T. In any event, if you can find a really high end dent removal company, this type of damage can be repaired much cheaper than a traditional body shop. I hope this helps.

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[TheRiviAnswer]

On the other hand, if you are rich, you get into a minor accident, theres a good chance you are just getting a new car. Soo....

Why is it only if you are rich that there's a good chance of getting a new car after a minor accident. Wouldn't it be anyone (rich/poor/middle) with full coverage if the insurance decides to total the car out?

Genuinely curious if I am missing something here...

 

[TheRiviAnswer]

The video on the first page of the red R1T being repaired is my truck. Mike did the repair for $2200. I was back in his shop sometime later and he had a R1S in his shop with damage similar to the OP. That repair was about $15K. Mike, the shop owner told me that the R1S took way more work to access than a R1T. In any event, if you can find a really high end dent removal company, this type of damage can be repaired much cheaper than a traditional body shop. I hope this helps.

With your accident, I am assuming you had the option of paying a deductible and having insurance pay for the repair? Did they pay for the $2200 repair by Mike? If not, why choose to pay $2200 out of pocket vs just paying your deductible?

I am guessing it would have to do with your car being in the shop for months if you decided to go the traditional route, but I would love to hear the thought process in case I have to go through this one day.

 

[NY_Rob]

This is how word gets around not to buy a Rivian, because it's way too expensive to fix.
$50k for a minor repair is insane for most people.

I agree. If word gets around repairing minor damage is around $40k then the mass appeal will die very quickly. Only the enthusiasts will have interest in Rivian.

It might well even come down to Rivian being too expensive to insure, not just repair.

Right now, I'm paying $2,400/year to insure my R1T... if Allstate told me next 12month renewal is going to be $5K.. I'd sell it.

 

[srnyoung]

Isn’t Tesla doing the same with the giga press, one giant piece?

I saw that VW had also just invested in 'giga presses' for their EV lines as well. I expect this will become the norm to cut manufacturing costs.

Some discussion from Munro of exactly that in this oldish Reuters article:
"The giga-casting technique that VW plans to adopt was popularised by Tesla as an alternative to the more labour-intensive method of assembling multiple stamped metal panels with crumple zones to absorb energy during a crash.
German luxury carmaker BMW (BMWG.DE), opens new tab has rejected large castings in the past on the grounds that the higher costs of repair outweigh the lower manufacturing costs.
But advocates say automated driving technology will reduce the frequency of accidents: "Tesla is designing a vehicle that most likely won't be in a severe crash," Cory Steuben, president of manufacturing consulting firm Munro & Associates, said."

Vehicles are now single-use products I guess. Kind of like washing machines before that! Gotta love capitalism - it's great!

 

[NY_Rob]

Isn’t Tesla doing the same with the giga press, one giant piece?

With the giant castings, the fenders and body panels are hung off the castings. Damage akin to the OP's minor quarter panel hit wouldn't touch the castings.

 

[Tahoe Man]

It might well even come down to Rivian being too expensive to insure, not just repair.

Right now, I'm paying $2,400/year to insure my R1T... if Allstate told me next 12month renewal is going to be $5K.. I'd sell it.

Exactly, the insane repair costs eventually will come from insurance premiums.

 

[TollKeeper]

Why is it only if you are rich that there's a good change of getting a new car after a minor accident. Wouldn't it be anyone (rich/poor/middle) with full coverage if the insurance decides to total the car out?

Genuinely curious if I am missing something here...

Not for all.. They may pay the vehicle, but there is still likely another $10k in taxes, and who knows what other fees, for that new vehicle. Not everyone (like myself) can afford that again.

 

[SDH]

Our insurance premiums are going to ramp up to point where it makes no sense to own an EV.

 

[Mjl]

It might well even come down to Rivian being too expensive to insure, not just repair.

Right now, I'm paying $2,400/year to insure my R1T... if Allstate told me next 12month renewal is going to be $5K.. I'd sell it.

I'm with you. If my premium doubles I'll have to strongly consider wether I keep it or not.

My R1T was in the body shop for 10 months and I have PTSD driving it around. I'd be lying if I wasn't considering swapping it with a cheaper ICE.

I made a huge mistake not having rental added to insurance so I was driving around a beater for a long time. Even if I did, the max Allstate would pay out for a rental is $40 a day / 1400 maximum. That's not covering 10 months in the shop. If it gets damaged again I want it TOTALED.

 

[Blueassassin]

Sounds like the aftermarket shops should be doing some designs because this is something I would buy looking at these bills.

Offroad these corners are always hit offroad on my old tacoma I designed and had built for me a bumper that i cut out the old mangled steel and replaced it with something that would take hits and had better clearance as well.

 

[TheRiviAnswer]

Not for all.. They may pay the vehicle, but there is still likely another $10k in taxes, and who knows what other fees, for that new vehicle. Not everyone (like myself) can afford that again.

Just looked it up-- at least in Cali taxes and registration are included in the payout:

If totaled, California law mandates that the policyholder receive the actual cash value from the insurance company for a qualifying loss. The insurance company will also be required to pay the sales tax and title costs if and when the policyholder buys a new vehicle.

Update: I see on your profile you're in CO. Same thing in your state

 

[TollKeeper]

Just looked it up-- at least in Cali:

If totaled, California law mandates that the policyholder receive the actual cash value from the insurance company for a qualifying loss. The insurance company will also be required to pay the sales tax and title costs if and when the policyholder buys a new vehicle.

Thats pretty cool. But they would only pay for the taxes at the current market value. So although this would diminish that gap, it does not completely remove it.

 

[TheRiviAnswer]

Thats pretty cool. But they would only pay for the taxes at the current market value. So although this would diminish that gap, it does not completely remove it.

Cool indeed. Colorado is the same. The second sentence says they pay sales tax and title on the NEW car if and when you buy it.

 

[sfvR1S]

Not sure how they're supposed to be "adventure" vehicles when every little dent costs a fortune to fix.

Or maybe the process of repairing your vehicle is part of the "adventure."

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