Even though Oregon is boasting about low unemployment rates at the time of this writing, businesses, such as body shops, are struggling to find qualified labor. Once ordered, OEM parts can take months to arrive, especially if they are sourced from a foreign manufacturer. Even after-market parts are challenging to find. No one is calling it price-gouging yet, but the cost of parts is skyrocketing.Sometimes, the insurance company's claims department causes the delay at the body shop. Insurers also struggle to find qualified staff to work claims processing positions remotely from home. Setting up the new infrastructure with secure internet connections while monitoring staff activity has proved challenging. The cost to repair an automobile varies each day, so authorizing repairs presents another problem—how much to pay for the job.
If your car is drivable, you might use it until the body shop says the parts are ready. Save yourself the cost of a rental car. If your policy provides rental reimbursement, the 30-day limit may expire before they repair your automobile.
