1997 vs. 2001: Auto Repair Costs In Selected Ohio Cities

Factored into the cost of auto insurance is the cost of vehicle repair. Garage labor rates continue to rise, based on the findings of OII’s annual survey. Average repair shop rates of Ohio’s major cities are provided for the years 1997 and 2001.

According to Insurance Information Institute (III) Fact Book 2002, the average claim cost for property damage increased over 41% between 1990–2000. The average property damage claim was $1,689 in 1990, rising to $2,388 in 2000. The Ohio Department of Public Safety reports the average property damage only cost per crash in 1999 in Ohio was $4,500.

Auto accident claim costs continues to outpace general inflation. While the average paid property damage claim climbed 37.9% between 1992–2001, the overall cost of living rose 26.2%.

Hourly repair shop labor rates

Five-year increases in Ohio garage labor rates varied between 15.5% (Toledo) to 19.5% (Columbus). An annual survey conducted by the OII of its members serves as the basis of the repair rates shown for Ohio’s eight largest cities. 2001 information was based on responses from 32 property/casualty insurers. As seen by the city average, repair rates in Ohio’s major metro areas increased by 17.5% in the last five years. These labor costs are based on auto body (sheet metal) repair.

III reports that motor vehicle body work in the US rose 12.7% between 1997–2001, based on data provided by the US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*City average refers to auto labor costs. The parts used are the prevailing prices manufacturers charge in Ohio as a whole, not by individual cities.