자동차보험에서 정비요금 산정체계에 관한 개선방안 연구 － ‘표준정비시간’과 ‘시간당 공임제도’를 중심으로 －

In automobile insurance compensation practice, the calculation of accident vehicle repair costs constitutes a core factor in determining insurance payouts, with standard repair time (standard labor time) and hourly labor rates serving as the fundamental benchmarks. However, under the current system, standard repair time is governed by the Automobile Management Act, while hourly labor rates are regulated under the Automobile Liability Security Act. This institutional separation of legal bases and regulatory authorities has resulted in inconsistencies in practical standards and recurring disputes. In particular, structural duality in the calculation of standard repair time, insufficient reflection of new and imported vehicle models, regulatory gaps following the public announcement of labor rates, and the ambiguous legal effect of agreements reached by the Automobile Insurance Repair Council have been identified as key limitations of the existing framework. This study examines the legal foundations and structural problems of the current system and, through an analysis of relevant case law, confirms that courts regard standard repair time and hourly labor rates as reference standards possessing objectivity and rationality, while placing the burden of proof for claims exceeding those standards on repair businesses. In addition, this study conducts a comparative analysis of legislative and operational models in Japan, Germany, and the United States to explore directions for reform in the Korean system. Furthermore, by proposing legislative and practical improvements—including the formalization of calculation criteria for standard repair time, the institutional incorporation of imported and technologically advanced vehicles, and the establishment of interim benchmarks in cases where council agreements fail—this study argues for the necessity of enhancing predictability in repair cost calculations and strengthening the system’s capacity to prevent disputes.