Price your ADAS calibrations

Learn how to price ADAS calibrations profitably, charge research fees, and get insurance approvals faster with better documentation and communication.

February 3, 2026

Price your ADAS calibrations and work with customer insurance with tips from the pros

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibrations represent a significant revenue opportunity for repair shops. With an average calibration cost of $350 to $500 and most vehicles having at least one system, offering these services at your shop can add roughly $1,250 per vehicle repair.

The numbers speak for themselves: ADAS services can be highly profitable, with our original research finding that shops generate $21,509 per month in ADAS revenue on average. Three-quarters of shops surveyed consider ADAS a profit generator, representing a 9% net profit margin on average from a mix of customer pay, insurance, and DRP programs.

ADAS technology is only becoming increasingly prevalent. With 90%+ of new vehicles rolling off production lines equipped with at least one ADAS feature, there's an important factor to consider: working with insurance companies. In this article, we'll help you establish proper pricing and insurance protocols that will be crucial for shop success.

Information to use for ADAS pricing

Effective ADAS calibration pricing requires balancing multiple factors to ensure profitability while remaining competitive.

There are three important things to consider:

1) Market analysis and positioning

The first, most helpful step to gauging where exactly your prices should fall is to take a peek around at other businesses in your area. Be sure to:

Consider your shop's unique value propositions (for example: specialized equipment, certified technicians, faster turnaround times)
Research local dealership pricing to understand current pricing dynamics
Survey competitor rates in your market area

2) Operational cost factors

‍With a baseline established, think about your own shop’s needs. Factor in things like:

Equipment investment and maintenance
Facility space requirements and modifications
Ongoing training and certification costs
Labor time and expertise
Software and documentation systems
Insurance and liability coverage

3) Insurance reimbursement rates

As the ADAS calibration industry is experiencing significant changes in both regulation and insurance company behavior, it’s important to understand these trends as they can absolutely impact pricing.

First, state-level ADAS legislation is expanding. At least 17 states now have specific ADAS-related regulations in place.

Utah was among the first to pass comprehensive legislation, with common requirements across states including written disclosure to customers before performing ADAS work, itemized descriptions of calibration services and costs, requirements that calibrations meet or exceed manufacturer specifications, and penalties ranging from $500 to $2,500 per violation.

Many of these laws also include language allowing insurers to limit payment to "fair and competitive" local market rates, which is why understanding your market positioning (covered earlier in this article) is so critical.

Secondly, Insurance companies are negotiating pricing agreements directly with technology providers. In 2024, GEICO entered into a pricing agreement with asTech to standardize pricing for certain ADAS scans and calibrations. This agreement essentially sets rates for services you perform, using equipment you purchased, without your input on what constitutes fair pricing.

Since our report found that 33% of ADAS profit comes from insurance reimbursement payouts, this will likely play an important role in your pricing and revenue.

Current industry standard pricing guidelines

With those factors in mind, here are some ballpark figures you can use to arrive at your final number with special thanks to our friends at ADAS Depot.

Radar Calibration: $300 - $400
Blind Spot Monitor Calibration: $300 - $400
Backup Camera/Sensor Calibration: $250 - $300
Lane Keep Assist/Lane Departure Warning: $300 - $400
All-View-Monitor/360-Degree Calibration: $350 - $450

Please remember: these are baseline figures. There are a lot of other factors to consider including the variation for domestic, asian, and euro models, which we’ll discuss more in the coming sections.

‍Your actual pricing must reflect your market conditions and operational costs. Many successful shops price their services at 70 - 80% of dealership rates and still maintain healthy margins.

Real-world calibration pricing from shops

Our original research report gathered data from real shops performing ADAS calibrations. Here's what we found for the most common calibration types:

Calibration Type

Avg Performed Monthly

Avg Charge Per Calibration

Forward-facing camera calibrations

$241

Radar sensor calibrations

$251

Parking assist sensors

$205

Side-mounted sensor calibrations

$227

Blind spot monitoring sensors

$242

Reverse camera

$213

360-degree camera systems

$297

Our data also found that the average ADAS calibration charge per vehicle is nearly $400, with $143 of that being 'take home' profit for the shop. ADAS typically adds an hour to a typical repair job and can be turned around in a day or two, making it an efficient addition to your service offerings.

Understanding research fees

Research fees compensate shops for the time spent determining which calibrations are needed based on expected repair needs, accessing OEM documentation, and reviewing VIN-specific procedures. This is billable work that happens before calibrations begin.

Joel Adcock, Revv's Director of Strategic Partnerships, shared that most shops across the country typically have standardized research fees based on vehicle classification:

Domestic vehicles: approximately $20
Japanese vehicles (Hyundai, Toyota): typically around $20, but may go up to $25
Premium European vehicles (BMW, Audi): can charge a premium of up to $30

The pricing difference reflects the varying complexity of OEM documentation requirements across vehicle types. European luxury brands often have more intricate calibration procedures that require additional research time.

How to get ADAS calibrations covered by insurance

Fair and reasonable pricing is only one piece of the puzzle. As we discussed above, insurance companies and state regulation are increasingly setting regulation that are impacting either what you can charge or what you may be reimbursed for calibrations.

Here’s what this may mean for your shop:

You may face different rates for different insurance companies, creating pricing complexity
There's potential for reduced revenue compared to existing market rates if price caps become the new industry standard
Your specific equipment, training, and facility costs may not be considered in standardized pricing
You may face pressure to accept predetermined rates or lose insurance work

All this said, successfully securing insurance coverage for ADAS calibrations requires having systems and processes in place that ensure you’ve got two things crystal clear: documentation and communication.

Comprehensive Documentation Requirements

Pre-repair scanning results showing system status
OEM documentation specifying calibration requirements
Photos of calibration setup and completion
Post-repair scan results confirming successful calibration
Detailed invoicing showing specific procedures performed
Time stamps and technician certification information

If you’re using a system like Revv ADAS, documentation can be generated quickly making this part of the process take zero effort from your team.

Communicating with insurance professionals

The second piece to consider is having a friendly working relationship with insurance companies that you work with often. This might mean:

Establish direct communication channels with insurance adjusters
Maintain organized records of all calibration procedures
Create standardized documentation packages for common procedures
Develop a clear process for handling disputes or questions

The earlier you can start the conversation after producing an estimate, the better. This can help ease conversations around getting approval while the car is actually in your shop versus having already left.

Evidence-Based Justification

Insurance is all based on risk. One of the ways to bolster your reasoning for why the calibration is a necessary part of the repair is justifying the need for the system to be properly calibrated based on data.Recent studies indicate that ADAS features significantly reduce accident rates:

Vehicles equipped with FCW and AEB have 50% fewer front-to-rear crashes
Automatic Emergency Braking reduces front-to-rear crashes by 50%
Blind Spot Detection eliminates 14% of lane change crashes

These potential crashes were only prevented because the system was functioning properly which accurate ADAS calibration ensures.

Tips for Negotiating with Insurance Providers

Success in working with insurance providers often comes down to preparation and professionalism.

Here are proven strategies from experienced shop owners who are members of the Revv ADAS Community:

Proactive education and communication

Insurance pros may not have the context for why ADAS calibrations are so vital to prevent further collisions. One of the best ways to build trust with providers you work with is to be ready with the answers to any questions. Some ideas of how to do that:

Provide educational materials about ADAS technology and calibration requirements
Maintain open lines of communication regarding pricing and procedures
Document all interactions and agreements
Schedule regular check-ins with claims supervisors as appropriate

Handling Common Objections

Should you run into any questions from insurance providers, here’s some guidance on how to handle them.

1. "The scan tool shows no codes"

This is a common one that even trips up shop owners who aren’t in the know. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are just an electrical test. If it responds to the test, the tool says it’s working. That doesn’t mean it’s calibrated properly (eg. the camera is aimed in the precise angle it needs to be.)In these cases, explain that:

Explain that physical misalignment may not trigger diagnostic codes
Provide OEM documentation showing calibration requirements
Share examples of accidents caused by uncalibrated systems

2. "The price seems high"

This concern is exactly why it’s important to understand what others are charging in your area. It comes from not understanding the true cost and complexity of ADAS calibrations. When you break down what goes into a proper calibration, the pricing makes sense. In these cases, explain that:

There are costs associated with calibration including equipment, expertise, and facility requirements
Compare to dealership pricing
Emphasize safety implications and liability concerns

3. "Is calibration really necessary?"

This question often stems from older approaches to repairs, where mechanical fixes were more straightforward. Since cars made today are basically computers on wheels, their safety systems need precise calibration to function correctly.

Missing a required calibration could mean the difference between a vehicle repair cost and a life insurance payout, and this is a cost-benefit analysis that some customers struggle with until you break it down for them.

Your response in these situations should be to:

Reference manufacturer requirements
Share safety statistics and research
Explain potential liability issues

Ultimately though, if an insurer will not pay an invoice, we at Revv ADAS suggest completing the calibration regardless to help ensure a safe vehicle.

Everything you need to address all ADAS Calibrations at the right price at your shop

Implementing a successful ADAS calibration program requires the right tools, processes, and support systems.

Here's what you need:‍

Essential equipment and resources

‍ADAS calibration does require some specialized tools. Here’s the most important things you need.

OEM repair information access
Calibration targets and tools
Documentation and reporting software
Training and certification programs
Quality control procedures

Process management‍

Ensure calibrations happen without a hitch by handling these items.

Standardized calibration procedures
Clear communication protocols
Quality assurance checks
Customer education materials
Insurance documentation templates

Success metrics to track

‍These will help you understand where your team can improve.

Calibration success rates
Insurance approval rates
Average revenue per calibration
Customer satisfaction scores
Cycle time performance

Ensuring (and insuring) your shop’s future

When it comes to offering ADAS calibration services at your shop, the right equipment or charging the right prices is only part of the story.

Insurance providers are a vital part of that conversation and making sure those relationships are smooth will support your business for years to come.

Proper documentation systems, maintaining open communication with insurers, and staying current with the latest calibration requirements will help serve your customers' safety needs and protect your bottom line.

The shops that will thrive in this evolving landscape are those that view ADAS calibrations not just as an additional service, but as a core component of their business strategy. With proper pricing, clear processes, and strong insurance relationships in place, you'll be ready to meet the growing demand for these critical safety services.

Looking to streamline insurance documentation?

Revv ADAS can effortlessly produce the exact documentation that insurers are looking for. Streamline your documentation, pricing, and insurance processes today so you can focus on what matters most: putting safe vehicles back on the road.