Summary
- Experiencing repair estimates at a Tesla Certified and regular body shop for minor damage
- Consideration of repair costs, labor rates, and impact on insurance rates
- Comparison of estimates from Tesla Certified Repair Shop and a Highly Rated Body Shop
- Decision-making process based on quality, resale value, and environmental impact
- Conclusion on the importance of cost of ownership, insurance rates, and repair quality for Tesla vehicles
Article
The author shares their experience getting an estimate for a minor repair at both a Tesla Certified and a regular body shop. They had previously written about Tesla collision repairs and had the chance to go through the repair process again, this time for their 2022 Tesla Model Y. The damage was caused by another vehicle sliding into their car. They reflect on their previous assertion that Tesla repairs may be more costly than other cars and speculate on how insurance rates for Tesla vehicles may be affected by higher repair costs. They highlight the potential impact of millions of Tesla vehicles being sold on repair costs and insurance rates in the future.
The author discusses being hit by an underinsured motorist and their decision to work with the insurance company of the at-fault party to avoid a claim on their own policy. They obtained estimates for the repair from both a Tesla Certified Repair Shop and a highly rated body shop. The Tesla Certified Repair Shop insisted on replacing the liftgate, while the body shop proposed repairing the damage instead. The differences in labor hours, labor rates, and total costs between the two estimates are significant, with the body shop estimate being over six times cheaper than the Tesla Certified Repair Shop estimate.
In deciding which repair option to go with, the author reflects on past experiences with accident repairs and the longevity of repairs done at different quality shops. They consider the impact on the resale value of their Tesla Model Y and the environmental consequences of replacing parts unnecessarily. Ultimately, they decide to opt for the cheaper repair option despite potential concerns about paint quality and resale value. The author also discusses insurance rates for Tesla vehicles in different states and the importance of lowering the total cost of ownership for Tesla vehicles.
The author acknowledges the progress Tesla has made in training repair personnel but suggests that they may be overly cautious in replacing parts that don’t necessarily need to be replaced. They emphasize the importance of ongoing efforts to drive down the total cost of ownership for Tesla vehicles. The article concludes with the author’s decision to go with the cheaper repair option and the completion of the repair on their Tesla Model Y. The author includes a referral link for potential Tesla buyers and discloses their investments in various related companies.
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