Even though Oregon is bragging about low unemployment rates at the time of writing this, businesses, such as body shops, are having difficulty finding qualified labor. Once ordered, OEM parts take months to arrive, especially if from a foreign manufacturer. Even after-market parts are tough to find. No one is calling it price-gouging yet, but the cost of parts is skyrocketing.
Sometimes the insurance company 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 might run out before they fix your automobile.