Poll: Is the Threat of Higher Insurance A Deal Killer For the 2015 F150?
Poll: Is the Threat of Higher Insurance A Deal Killer For the 2015 F150?
We’re pretty excited about the new F-150′s intensive use of lightweight aluminum. Less weight means more of everything else, like towing, payload, acceleration, responsive handling, fuel efficiency … and insurance costs. Uh oh. That’s right. ...
More on the blog.
"Ford estimates insurance rates for the 2015 F-150 will be 10 percent higher than rates for the 2014 model."
There are several factors that affect insurance. Property, medical, and liability. Medical and liability have nothing to do with what the vehicle is made of, so if that 10% gain goes towards property alone, that's maybe another $100 a year? Compared to the fuel savings, thats a good chunk. Even then- with F-150s being on par with Silverados to insure- whats the difference between replacing a steel or aluminum panel? I've been in several wrecks in my life and non have been "hammered out". Its just a 20-year old with a couple screws replacing a body panel with a new one.
"In addition to aluminum being more expensive than steel, it is also difficult to repair, and difficult to find a qualified shop to perform the repairs. According to Bloomberg and the Automotive Service Association, less than 10 percent of body shops in the United States meet the requirements for fixing aluminum body components."
While only 10% of body shops are currently fully certified to work with aluminum repairs, 80% of people live within 30 minutes of such a repair shop and 90% are within two hours. But then again, we're replacing panels, not hammering a sculpture.
There are several factors that affect insurance. Property, medical, and liability. Medical and liability have nothing to do with what the vehicle is made of, so if that 10% gain goes towards property alone, that's maybe another $100 a year? Compared to the fuel savings, thats a good chunk. Even then- with F-150s being on par with Silverados to insure- whats the difference between replacing a steel or aluminum panel? I've been in several wrecks in my life and non have been "hammered out". Its just a 20-year old with a couple screws replacing a body panel with a new one.
"In addition to aluminum being more expensive than steel, it is also difficult to repair, and difficult to find a qualified shop to perform the repairs. According to Bloomberg and the Automotive Service Association, less than 10 percent of body shops in the United States meet the requirements for fixing aluminum body components."
While only 10% of body shops are currently fully certified to work with aluminum repairs, 80% of people live within 30 minutes of such a repair shop and 90% are within two hours. But then again, we're replacing panels, not hammering a sculpture.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 0
From: Maricopa, AZ
People always try to find a negative in a positive.
Higher rates I would say are due to it being a major model change. There is no cheap alternatives for 2015 body panels/bumpers/trim right now because they don't exist. So for the meantime, the only source for parts will be from Ford. Once parts become more readily available it should back down.
Higher rates I would say are due to it being a major model change. There is no cheap alternatives for 2015 body panels/bumpers/trim right now because they don't exist. So for the meantime, the only source for parts will be from Ford. Once parts become more readily available it should back down.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,390
Likes: 10
Well this is now moot - looks like Ford is gonna subsidize AL repair:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-to-...#ixzz2rhXJ9KDd
"Ford has announced that it will subsidize some repair work on its all-new, aluminum-bodied F-150 in order to keep repair and insurance costs as low as possible
Ford's decision to construct large portions of its 2015 F-150 out of weight-saving aluminum promises several benefits - chiefly improvements in fuel economy and payload capacity - but the move will also test the nation's repair shops. Just 10 percent of collision centers are equipped to work with aluminum body panels, which threatens higher repair bills that could lead to steeper insurance costs. In order to prevent that from happening, Ford announced on Monday that it will foot the bill for 20 percent of repair costs, up to $10,000, to fix its 2015 F-150. The deal cover's Ford U.S. dealerships only.
Mike Levine, a Ford spokesman, told Edmunds that the program will ensure "insurance costs and repair costs to consumers will be competitive with the current trucks."
Levine also noted that the 2015 F-150 features a modular design so some body parts can simply be swapped out for new ones in the event of a crash.
"What this means for car buyers is that in the event of an accident with the (2015) F-150, we've made it so it's designed for easy repair," he said. "It's easier to repair due to the modular body panels on some parts of the truck. This could save hours of labor time versus the previous truck."
Ford is also planning to reimburse dealers for technician training classes covering aluminum.
Unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, the 2015 Ford F-150 is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms by the end of this year."
IB - yall want my vote on a POLL, put it on the Forum side, not the Content side. Otherwise, forget it.
MGD
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-to-...#ixzz2rhXJ9KDd
"Ford has announced that it will subsidize some repair work on its all-new, aluminum-bodied F-150 in order to keep repair and insurance costs as low as possible
Ford's decision to construct large portions of its 2015 F-150 out of weight-saving aluminum promises several benefits - chiefly improvements in fuel economy and payload capacity - but the move will also test the nation's repair shops. Just 10 percent of collision centers are equipped to work with aluminum body panels, which threatens higher repair bills that could lead to steeper insurance costs. In order to prevent that from happening, Ford announced on Monday that it will foot the bill for 20 percent of repair costs, up to $10,000, to fix its 2015 F-150. The deal cover's Ford U.S. dealerships only.
Mike Levine, a Ford spokesman, told Edmunds that the program will ensure "insurance costs and repair costs to consumers will be competitive with the current trucks."
Levine also noted that the 2015 F-150 features a modular design so some body parts can simply be swapped out for new ones in the event of a crash.
"What this means for car buyers is that in the event of an accident with the (2015) F-150, we've made it so it's designed for easy repair," he said. "It's easier to repair due to the modular body panels on some parts of the truck. This could save hours of labor time versus the previous truck."
Ford is also planning to reimburse dealers for technician training classes covering aluminum.
Unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, the 2015 Ford F-150 is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms by the end of this year."
IB - yall want my vote on a POLL, put it on the Forum side, not the Content side. Otherwise, forget it.
MGD
Last edited by MGDfan; Jan 28, 2014 at 09:35 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 42
From: So. Texas
I can only guess that many of you are not aware that Ford has been using aluminum hoods on certain models for decades. Most commonly these hoods can have the likes of hail dents removed without the need of bondo or paint, they're simply rubbed out or dry ice is used. Any damages more than that will have the body shop replacing the panel anyway so I don't see the argument.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,390
Likes: 10
I can only guess that many of you are not aware that Ford has been using aluminum hoods on certain models for decades. Most commonly these hoods can have the likes of hail dents removed without the need of bondo or paint, they're simply rubbed out or dry ice is used. Any damages more than that will have the body shop replacing the panel anyway so I don't see the argument.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/5047780-post2.html
MGD
