Summary
– Luxury electric vehicles like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla are often written off by insurance companies after minor accidents due to concerns and hassles related to repairs.
– Local repair shops may not have the tools to diagnose issues related to battery and drive train, and service centers could be far away.
– Rich Rebuilds demonstrated an issue with a Rivian R1T, which was declared totaled by insurance due to fears of a punctured battery, despite minimal damage.
– MLM Diagnostics specializes in diagnosing issues with cars like these following collisions using OEM diagnostic tools.
– In the case of the Rivian R1T, it was later found that the vehicle was repairable, and the reason it wouldn’t start was due to an intentionally unplugged connector on the low-voltage battery management control module.
Article
Luxury electric vehicles from newer manufacturers like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla are often written off by insurance companies after what appear to be minor accidents. This decision is not based on the vehicle’s repairability but rather the hassle insurers would rather avoid. Local repair shops may not have the tools to diagnose issues related to the battery and drive train, and service centers might be far away. A YouTube channel, Rich Rebuilds, highlighted this issue with a Rivian R1T that was totaled by the insurance company after sustaining minimal exterior damage, as the insurer feared that a few studs in the skid plate may have punctured the battery pack.
To address this issue, Rich Rebuilds introduced us to Chris from MLM Diagnostics, a business specializing in diagnosing issues with vehicles like the Rivian R1T following collisions. MLM has the necessary OEM diagnostic tools straight from manufacturers and dealerships to determine the cause of failure, provide repair solutions, and ensure proper procedures are followed when replacing equipment. Chris and Rich explained that the fear of a punctured battery in the Rivian R1T was unfounded, as the studs were located in an area without battery modules. They found no damage to the battery pack, and the vehicle’s diagnostic reports showed that it was running fine immediately after the accident. Further investigation revealed that the low-voltage battery management control module connector was intentionally unplugged, likely for safety, but was never re-connected after being declared totaled.
It is frustrating to see potentially repairable vehicles like the Rivian R1T being written off by insurance companies. Once a vehicle is declared totaled, there are few buyers willing to take on the risks associated with it, especially since most auto insurers are unwilling to cover a totaled vehicle even after it has been fully repaired. This makes it difficult to legally drive the car, as most states require a minimum level of auto insurance. In the case of the Rivian R1T, it has been repaired and is now available for sale. Hopefully, situations like this will become less frequent as electric vehicles become more familiar to insurance companies.
The Rivian R1T that was totaled for what turned out to be minor damage serves as a cautionary tale for owners of luxury electric vehicles. Insurance companies may be quick to write off these vehicles following accidents, even when they are completely repairable. The lack of expertise in local repair shops and the distance to service centers further complicate matters, leading to costly and unnecessary total loss declarations. An understanding of these issues and working with specialized diagnostic services like MLM Diagnostics may help prevent such situations.
It is essential for owners of luxury electric vehicles to be aware of the challenges they may face following accidents and to advocate for proper diagnosis and repair of their vehicles. Collaborating with specialized diagnostic services can help ensure that insurance companies do not prematurely write off repairable vehicles. As the market for luxury electric vehicles grows, it is crucial for insurance companies to become more accustomed to these vehicles’ unique repair requirements to avoid unnecessary total loss declarations. By raising awareness of these issues and working towards solutions, owners can protect their investment in luxury electric vehicles and prevent unnecessary financial losses.
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