New safety features in vehicles are becoming standard equipment but the benefits may come at a price even in minor accidents, according to AAA.
Vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking or blind spot monitoring, can cost twice as much to repair following an accident due to expensive sensors and their calibration requirements, according to the new AAA research.
With safety technology in new vehicles being placed behind windshields, in bumpers, and in door mirrors, even minor incidents can add $3,000 extra in repair costs, AAA found.
“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,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair in a news release.
AAA’s research found ranges for typical ADAS repair expenses, above the regular bodywork costs following a crash.
- Front radar sensors used with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems: $900 to $1,300
- Rear radar sensors used with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert systems: $850 to $2,050
- Front camera sensors used with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keeping systems (does not include the cost of a replacement windshield): $850 to $1,900
- Front, side mirror or rear camera sensors used with around-view systems: $500 to $1,100
- Front or rear ultrasonic sensors used with parking assist systems: $500 to $1,300
With one out of every three Americans unable to afford an unexpected repair bill of $500, AAA urges consumers to perform an insurance policy review and consider the potential repair costs of these advanced systems.
Read more about the study at the AAA Newsroom.
