EV Collision Repairs Without the Insurance Hassle

Electric vehicles (EVs) like Tesla and Rivian are redefining the driving experience. But when accidents happen, repairs can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating insurance claims. The good news? You don’t have to. Paying out of pocket for EV collision repairs can save time, reduce stress, and even cut costs.

When Does It Make Sense to Pay for Auto Repairs Yourself?

Insurance claims often come with unforeseen obstacles: slow communication, lack of transparency, and extended delays. For EV owners, these issues can be even more frustrating because repairs often require specialized parts and certified technicians. If you value speed and control for your repair, self-pay might be the smarter choice.

Self-Pay vs. Insurance Claims: The EV Perspective

Filing a claim could mean waiting weeks for approvals and dealing with adjusters, or even repair shops, who don’t understand EV technology. Meanwhile, car repair payment plans let you choose a certified EV body shop, get OEM parts, and ensure proper ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) calibration—all without the red tape.

Some Insurance Policies Don’t Cover All of Your Damage

Some policies exclude certain repairs, like cosmetic damage or ADAS calibration. These advanced systems are critical for EV safety, and calibration costs can add up. Types of insurance policies that may fall short depending on the situation include:

• Liability – This is the most common and often the minimum coverage required in most states. It focuses on bodily injury and property damage to someone else, leaving you to figure out if the other person’s insurance will cover your car repair.
• Collision – While this another common coverage policy to have, it is only effective in a collision with another car or object, such as the neighbor’s fence or a pole at the gas station. It does not cover non-collision incidents involving weather or crime.
• Comprehensive – Vice versa, a comprehensive policy can cover all other potential losses except incidents involving another car or object.

In situations and states where these policies can be offered separately, combining collision and comprehensive coverage is sometimes called full coverage and is one of most effective policies to have. However, even full coverage has its drawbacks.

When Your Insurance Policy Deductible Is High

Consider this common scenario: If your deductible is $1,000 and your damage will cost $1,500 to repair; you’re paying most of the cost anyway. Plus, filing a claim could raise your premiums. For minor collisions or fender benders, choosing to finance or selecting a payment plan often makes financial sense.

How Much Does Collision Repair Cost Out-of-Pocket?

You should know that paying for car damage yourself can vary widely based on several factors, including the level of damage, the type of damage, make and model of the vehicle, and the labor rates of the auto repair shop you have chosen to use.

EV owners and the owners of cars made in the last three years should expect higher total costs for parts and labor, partially due to ADAS calibrations needs that are not always factored into the initial estimate.

In the second quarter of 2025, we calculated that 65% of cars required ADAS calibrations. However, the CCC’s Crash Course Report for the third quarter of 2025 reported that only 35.6% of car repairs included an ADAS calibration as a line item in the initial estimate.

How to Pay for Car Damage Yourself

Car repair costs can add up but don’t be intimidated or compromise on having a safe car to drive. Here’s a few tips to get the most out of your money:

• Ask About Payment Plans: Many shops will offer payment plans or financing for your car repairs. Make sure you understand terms and conditions of your options, including due dates and any extra fees.
• Choose Certified Shops: With EVs especially, make sure the shop can provide OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts and has certified EV technicians that can perform your specialized ADAS calibrations.
• Get Written Warranties: Protect your investment with documented guarantees that includes when the agreement ends.
• Look for Convenience: Compare mobile estimates versus bringing your car into the shop and repair shops with online booking will save you time.

There are several flexible payment options you can consider when selecting which EV body repair shop to use for your car.

Consider paying out of pocket for your car repairs in situations such as when the damage is minor, the repair cost is $500 or less, or you will have payment readily available in the next two weeks. Choose a payment plan or financing if you need more time or will not have the total amount readily accessible.

Does Caliber Collision Offer Payment Plans?

Yes, Caliber Collision offers flexible payment options including check, debit card, credit card, or financing through our Affirm and Klarna partners. You can even use these flexible payment methods to cover your deductible cost.

Affirm allows you to pay at your own pace with as low as 0% APR¹ financing and checking your eligibility will not affect your credit. When picking up your car, choose Affirm in-store at the time of payment and select your payment terms.

Klarna can split your repair cost into four interest-free payments or allow you to pay in 30 days. If you need more time, you can also finance your repair for up to 36 months.² Chose Klarna at checkout when picking up your car. There is no credit check to sign up and learn your purchasing power.

These flexible payment plans grant you access to peace of mind with our certified EV technicians, supported by state-of-the-art equipment and continuous training. You can also enjoy the convenience of online estimates and scheduling with one of our 1,800+ locations across 41 states ready to help you get safely back on the road. All of this is backed by a 4.8 rating across the board from thousands of customers just like you.

You Can Get Quality Collision Repair Without Insurance

With certified EV technicians, OEM parts, and financing options, Caliber Collision makes self-pay collision repairs simple and stress-free because we are committed to Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life®. Skip the insurance hassle and book your appointment today.

¹ Disclosure: Rates from 0–36% APR. For example, a $1400 purchase might cost $126.36/mo over 12 months at 15% APR. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available everywhere, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. Estimated payment amount may exclude taxes and shipping. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. For licenses and disclosures, see affirm.com/licenses.

² Disclosure: Monthly financing through Klarna issued by WebBank. Other CA resident loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. A $1,000 purchase might cost $173.53 per month over 6 months at 13.99% APR. Rate ranges from 0.00%-35.99% APR based on creditworthiness, term length, and subject to credit approval, resulting in, for example, 3 equal monthly payments of $333.33 at 0.00% APR to $353.52 at 35.99% APR per $1,000 borrowed. Minimum purchase amount and down payment may be required. Estimation of monthly payment excludes potential tax and shipping costs.