[rasz]

>so complex and are so difficult to repair they are causing catastrophic loss to insurance companies.

in US maybe. Tons of companies in EU specializing in imports of "totaled" US cars. Totaled by cost calculated with magic insurance algorithms, but in real life easily fixable cosmetic/suspension/mechanical damage. Repairs are in $5-10K range for a $20K "totaled" car worth $50K when fixed. Money laying on the street waiting to be picked up.

Are US car insurance companies similarly limited by law to a certain percentage of profit like Healthcare? Because this does feel like car insurance companies are artificially inflating costs to bump premiums.

[happytiger]

They are limited by insurance rules in each state and federal. The patchwork of consumer protection regulation makes for a lot of weird effects, like the one you are discussing.

They are not limited in profit, but they are limited in what they can do, when they are required to total a car, etc.