Waiting on wheels? Call Kurtis investigates impact of supply chain issues on auto repairs – CBS Sacramento

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ROSEVILLE (CBS13) — After waiting five months to get a new gas tank, a Roseville viewer called Kurtis to investigate cars that aren’t repaired due to supply chain issues.

Vicki Robinson was out for dinner in Roseville last November when a thief drilled a hole in her gas tank to siphon off the fuel. Immobilized, she had it towed to the local Hyundai dealership where she sat waiting for a new part.

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“It makes me feel helpless,” Vicki said. “I have been told there is nothing they can do, the part needed to fix my car, get it operational, is out of stock with no estimated delivery time.”

Vicki said she was told that if the dealership couldn’t find a new gas tank, no one would. So she had to wait. She said the dealership didn’t provide a loaner vehicle, which forced her to rent a car for $200 a week, while making car payments and her insurance premium for a vehicle that she couldn’t drive.

“What do you do? If you don’t go out and hire a very powerful lawyer, what do you do?” she asked. “You just have to take no for an answer. ‘to wait.

In fact, an August 2021 report from automotive research firm IMR, Inc. found that 100% of mechanics surveyed said it took longer to complete vehicle maintenance. And the most common reason they listed? A delay in pieces.

So this got the Call Kurtis team wondering how long someone should wait for a part before demanding a better solution from their insurance company.

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Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group for policyholders, recognizes that the law does not give a specific time frame for such a situation, but notes that an insurer has a maximum of 40 days to approve or deny a claim. But even then, they may require more time.

“It’s their job to put you where you were before a loss, isn’t it?” she asked. “[Vicki] bought insurance so that if something goes wrong, she has financial protection, and it doesn’t seem like she’s getting it.

She says that you should ask your insurance company to cover a rental car, even if you don’t have rental protection. You can also try having your insurer total your car and write you a check, but that’s not a good option if you owe more than your car is worth.

Tired of waiting and feeling like she had exhausted all options to get her car fixed, Vicki went out and bought another one.

“Keeping paying for something I can’t use is ridiculous,” she said.

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After CBS13 got involved, the insurance company and dealership found a used gas tank that they would cover as long as Vicki was still driving the car. She agreed and said she plans to either sell the vehicle now or give it to a relative.

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