Labour Rates On Insurance-Paid Repairs Up

Labour rates in Canada rose nationwide in 2008. Data provided by Mitchell International’s Industry Trends report indicates that labour rates on insurance-paid repairs are up across the country. Mitchell data is gathered from estimates uploaded through Mitchell systems from bodyshops, independent appraisers, and insurance personnel, so the company cautions that the data more accurately depicts insurance-paid loss activity rather than consumer direct or retail market pricing.

In its first quarter 2009 Industry Trends report, Mitchell states that 2008 labour rates were highest in the Yukon at $78.20, and the Northwest Territories at $76.61, and lowest in Quebec at $43.79. Ontario’s average labour rate ranks second lowest at $51.40. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland experienced the smallest increase, at two per cent, resulting in rates of $53.09 and $54.71 respectively. Alberta’s average labour rate rose 15 per cent to $65.68, while British Columbia recorded rates of $63.57, a rise of 10 per cent from the previous year. Rates for Saskatchewan and Manitoba are not reported by Mitchell.