The price of windshields jumped 8% in 2022 compared to 2021, but repairers are still increasing promotions and going so far as to offer Nintendo Switches. Problem, rates are soaring and insurers pass them on to the amount of the premium for all policyholders.
Every year, it’s the same song: the auto insurance premium increases, in particular because of the rise in the cost of spare parts and auto repairs. 2023 will not escape the rule: The price of spare parts shows an average increase of 10% against 2.2% in 2021 and that of repairs by 3.5% over the last twelve months, underlines the comparator Assurland. Accused number 1: windshields whose average price increased by 8% in 2022 compared to 2021 according to data from the firm Facts&Figures.
According The Parisian of this Friday, since the advent of Carglass and its two-euro coin, the replacement of windshields has become is a business feared by insurers and extremely competitive between repairers on the market who do not hesitate to offer game consoles, a mobile phone or kitchen utensils for a visit to the workshop. These promotions are possible since the Hamon law of 2014 which leaves the vehicle owner free to choose the repairer in the event of a claim.
The insurer is obliged to pay
The intention of the legislator has been distorted by some, protests the federation of the France Assureurs sector in the columns of the Parisian. The repairer will present the invoice to the insurer and the latter is obliged to pay, even if the work is carried out by a non-approved company at insane prices. Thereby, for a Citron C4, the replacement cost varies from one brand to another from 1000 to 1630 euros. Insurance companies therefore feel that they are paying for the gifts offered to customers by repairers.
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Well almost. Franck Le Vallois, Managing Director of France Assureurs, recognizes this without difficulty: In the end, the gifts offered to attract customers and the management of the deductible are paid for by the community of policyholders. Otherwise, these drives are offset by premium increases.
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