Rhode Island is the state with the highest car accident repair costs in the U.S., averaging $1,987 per capita, according to a recent study conducted by the Dolman Law Group, which examined various factors including licensed drivers, fatal accidents and economic costs across all states.
The study's results indicate a disparity in repair costs across different states, as Hawaii landed at the bottom with $410 per capita -- $1,500 less than Rhode Island, where total collision repair costs for the state were more than $2 billion.
“Only 68.8% of the Rhode Island population are licensed drivers, a low percentage when compared to other states in the ranking, so car accident costs are much higher per 100,000 drivers with over $2,700,” the researchers noted. Despite this high cost, Rhode Island boasts the lowest fatality rate among the states analyzed.
The Rhode Island Senate recently passed SB 2440, extending the age of a vehicle -- from 48 to 72 months old -- for which insurers can refuse to pay for non-OEM parts to complete repairs. Critics believe it could further increase repair costs. The Automotive Body Parts Association submitted opposition to the companion bill in the state House, HB 7264, saying it "extends the already stringent four-year restriction on aftermarket parts currently in place, which is the longest such restriction in the country. This will only further impact the wallets of Rhode Island drivers with higher vehicle repair costs, increased insurance premiums, and longer repair times."
Georgia follows Rhode Island with an average repair cost of $1,761 per capita, while Connecticut ranks third at $1,712. New Jersey and Delaware round out the top five with $1,577 and $1,518 per capita, respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum, in addition to Hawaii, states like Oregon and Pennsylvania show significantly lower costs, averaging $669 and $520 per capita, respectively. The national average stands at $1,035 per capita.
Below is the complete ranking of states by the cost of repairing a vehicle per capita as determined by the Dolman Law Group:
1. Rhode Island - $1,987
2. Georgia - $1,761
3. Connecticut - $1,712
4. New Jersey - $1,577
5. Delaware - $1,518
6. Tennessee - $1,472
7. Wyoming - $1,457
8. Louisiana - $1,413
9. Maine - $1,396
10. Kentucky - $1,378
11. Alabama - $1,313
12. Indiana - $1,269
13. Michigan - $1,232
14. New Hampshire - $1,223
15. South Carolina - $1,218
16. New York - $1,214
17. Washington, D.C. - $1,178
18. North Carolina - $1,148
19. Missouri - $1,104
20. Illinois - $1,103
21. Wisconsin - $1,084
22. Massachusetts - $1,072
23. South Dakota - $1,063
24. Colorado - $1,047
25. Arkansas - $1,041
26. New Mexico - $1,036
27. Ohio - $1,036
U.S. average - $1,035
28. Kansas - $1,024
29. Montana - $1,024
30. Vermont - $1,001
31. Texas - $998
32. Maryland - $977
33. North Dakota - $965
34. Florida - $932
35. Nebraska - $892
36. Iowa - $885
37. Utah - $874
38. Oklahoma - $864
39. Nevada - $859
40. Alaska - $856
41. Mississippi - $851
42. Washington - $832
43. Arizona - $817
44. West Virginia - $815
45. Idaho - $758
46. Virginia - $756
47. California - $736
48. Minnesota - $674
49. Oregon - $669
50. Pennsylvania - $520
51. Hawaii - $410
