Ontario driver on the hook for car rental fees as supply chain issues delay repairs by months
An Ontario driver says he has been on the hook for car rental fees after he took his SUV in for repairs in November and was told parts wouldn't be available until February due to supply chain issues.
"They just can't seem to find the parts,” Don Lewis of Mississauga told CTV News Toronto. Lewis has had his SUV in a repair shop since November.
Lewis said another driver smashed into his Volvo in late November and it was taken to a repair shop, but he was told it wouldn't be repaired until early to mid-February 2022.
He says he was relieved he had coverage for a rental through his car insurance and was given a rental car, but after 16 days he was told he had to return it.
"They will pay for a vehicle while my car is being repaired [up to] $900 dollars — whatever comes first," Lewis said.
Now, Lewis says he has to pay for the rental vehicle himself while his SUV sits in a body shop waiting for parts.
“It's costing me money and it's definitely money I don't want to spend,” he said.
Lewis is insured with Allstate Canada and the company told CTV News “as you may be aware, the global economy is currently experiencing supply chain issues which are impacting the availability of automobile parts all around the world, including for car owners in Canada.”
“Regarding this customer's insurance claim, please know that our customer was provided with a rental vehicle for the full period under his automobile insurance policy and his claim will be paid in accordance with his coverage for the at-fault collision in question,” a spokesperson for the company added.
CTV News also reached out to Volvo Canada. A spokesperson for the company said that “unfulfilled parts orders preventing a vehicle from re-entering service are treated with high priority, and Volvo retailers can flag orders as critical for more rapid prioritization; up to and including air freight where permitted, to reduce lead times.”
“This part order was processed by Volvo’s Central Parts Distribution Center in Gothenburg, Sweden, shortly after it was submitted, and is currently in transit to Canada for local distribution,” the company confirmed.
“We will continue to work diligently to ensure spare parts are united with our clients in a rapid and efficient manner. Both the transport of parts via specialist providers and rental car support for repairs not conducted by the Volvo retailer network are matters in which we have no influence,” the statement concluded.
After CTV News reached out to Volvo, Lewis said the company contacted him and said his parts had been sent to the repair shop and he should get his vehicle back tomorrow, saving him thousands in car rental fees.
“I heard from them the next day after we spoke that they somehow had found the parts,” Lewis said. “I have saved about $3,000 in rental costs by having them repair my SUV sooner.”
Meanwhile, it's not just cars that have been in accidents that are waiting for parts — some items like filters, brake pads and engine components are also hard to come by and, due to the shortage, some garages also say parts are increasing in price.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.