Summary
– Insurer ignorance leads to many electric vehicles being considered totaled despite being repairable
– Luxury electric vehicles like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla are often written off by insurance companies after minor accidents
– Local repair shops may not have the proper tools to diagnose issues with batteries and drive trains in electric vehicles
– A Rivian R1T was declared totaled by the insurance company due to fear of puncturing the battery pack, despite minimal exterior damage
– Diagnostic tools from MLM Diagnostics determined that the battery pack was undamaged, and the vehicle was repairable, highlighting the issue with insurers writing off electric vehicles unnecessarily
Article
Title: Insurer Ignorance: Electric Vehicles Being Totaled Despite Being Repairable
Luxury electric vehicles from newer auto manufacturers like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla are often written off by insurance companies after seemingly minor accidents. This is not because they are not repairable, but because insurers prefer to write off the vehicle rather than deal with the hassle of repairs. Local repair shops often lack the necessary tools to diagnose issues related to the battery and drive train, and service centers may be located hundreds of miles away. This results in electric vehicles being taken out of commission unnecessarily, as demonstrated by a case where a Rivian R1T was totaled due to fears of a punctured battery pack following a minor accident.
Rich Rebuilds introduces us to MLM Diagnostics, a company specializing in diagnosing issues with electric vehicles post-collision. MLM has purchased a range of OEM diagnostic tools from manufacturers and dealerships to determine the cause of vehicle failure, recommend repair solutions, and ensure that proper procedures are followed during equipment replacement. In the case of the Rivian R1T that was declared totaled by the insurance company, Chris from MLM Diagnostics determined that the vehicle was completely repairable, despite the insurer’s concerns about a punctured battery pack from studs on the skid plate.
Despite fears of a punctured battery, Chris from MLM Diagnostics debunked this concern, stating that the studs in question were not located where the battery modules were installed, and even if they were, the studs would not have punctured the modules. The total loss declaration for the Rivian R1T was deemed unnecessary, as the only issue the vehicle had was with a connector on the low-voltage battery management control module that had been unplugged intentionally between the accident and the vehicle’s arrival at MLM’s shop. Once reconnected, the truck was reported to be running fine again, proving that it was indeed repairable.
It is frustrating to see electric vehicles like the Rivian R1T being written off by insurance companies despite being completely repairable. Once a vehicle is declared totaled, few buyers are willing to take on the risks associated with purchasing it, and auto insurers are often reluctant to cover a fully repaired totaled vehicle, making it challenging to legally drive the car in most states. However, in the case of the Rivian R1T, it has been repaired and is available for sale, highlighting the importance of ensuring that insurance companies properly assess the repairability of electric vehicles following accidents to avoid unnecessary write-offs.
As electric vehicles like the Rivian R1T become more common on the roads, it is crucial for insurance companies to understand the repairability of these vehicles and avoid writing them off unnecessarily. This case study serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate diagnostics and repair assessments following accidents involving electric vehicles. By working with specialized diagnostic companies like MLM Diagnostics, insurers can ensure that electric vehicles are properly evaluated for repair potential, reducing the number of unnecessary write-offs and helping owners get back on the road with their fully repaired vehicles. Share your experiences with electric vehicle repairs following accidents in the comments below.
Read the full article here
