Collision Repair Estimate on Steady Rise

Traffic levels — as well as accidents — plummeted during the pandemic as many people worked from home and rarely ventured out, body shops offset the volume shortfall by increasing estimates beyond normal monetary inflation. 

She says most shops reported a 15 to 20 percent decline in business last year — recovering from the first few months of the pandemic when some saw business drop by half.

Average appraisal amount on collision repairs:

Year Average Estimate  Y/Y Increase 
2017  $                                2,900  
2018  $                                3,100 +7%
2019  $                                3,300 +6%
2020  $                                3,400 +3%