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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man arrested after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.