Disposable Cars

I was riding in my friend's Jetta the other day and noticed badges all over the car marking where all the various airbags were. It occured to me that repair costs for cars that may have only been in minor accidents are probably increasing at an alarming rate, given that airbags and their associated electronics must be replaced every time they are deployed. A few days later, I came across this article.

It's not just airbags, either. More cars are using metals other than steel (such as aluminum and magnesium). Most body shops aren't qualified to reform and repair aluminum frames or body panels, and magnesium is simply too brittle to be reformed. Parts like HID headlamps and LED taillights are more expensive to replace when they break. These rising costs are causing insurance companies not only to raise premiums, but also to total cars with minor damage simply because it's too costly to buy the needed parts or pay for the labor. The next time you get into a fender-bender in a parking lot, your insurance company may simply pay you to junk the car.