New safety systems can double repair bills, AAA study shows

As advanced safety systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring are becoming part of a car’s standard equipment, they are also making for much higher repair bills, even after minor accidents, an AAA study shows.

Minor accidents can now cost up to twice as much to repair because of pricey sensors and recalibration needs, according to the AAA.

The study looked at a 2018 Nissan Rogue, a 2018 Toyota Camry and a 2018 Ford F-150, but its conclusions can undoubtedly be extrapolated to other vehicles.

Some examples:

• A small front or rear collision: up to $5,300, more than double the costs for a car without ADAS
• Replacing windshields with a camera behind the glass: up to three times more than a vehicle without a camera, or $1,500

"Advanced safety systems are much more common today, with many coming as standard equipment, even on base models," said Nancy Cain, spokeswoman for AAA Michigan, said in a statement. "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."

Image source: AAA