Get Real when it comes to Parts!

The insurance appraiser's opinion of what constitutes a proper repair may include; “parts from sources other than your vehicle's manufacturer or non-original parts.” It may also include the specification of parts from a junk- yard. Insurance companies can put a spin on anything. They may try to convince you that these parts are as good or just like the parts on your car.

That using these parts makes economic and environmental sense. It makes sense economically for them not you! After some 40 years in collision repair I can say without hesitation that aftermarket collision parts are 99.9% of the time, not as good as the original!

My personal opinion of Aftermarket Parts is that they are close copies. So is a fake Rolex^®. If your Rolex^® was lost would a copy be just as good?

We don't take the responsibility of returning your vehicle to pre-accident condition lightly. Bottom line: The insurer is responsible to restore the damaged vehicle to a specific condition. Unless your vehicle had non-original parts on it before a loss or the damaged part was rusted and rotted out, non-original parts do not restore any vehicle to pre-loss condition.

Given the example of a rusted or previously replaced non-OEM part would be the only circumstance insurance company should specify these parts.

Assuming a vehicle is relatively new, had original parts in place, a factory warranty remaining in effect prior to the loss, the mere idea of installing a non-original parts would be in conflict with the warranty provisions. Not only will the inferior, lighter, un-crash tested, un-sponsored counterfeit, non-original parts not fit the vehicle properly, they would violate the policy provisions of returning the vehicle to pre-accident condition. If “close” is good enough for you then it is your prerogative to accept aftermarket parts.

The same holds true for parts specified from a junkyard. No one can be certain how much damage was sustained by a part that has been retrieved from a salvage vehicle that was involved in an accident that was severe enough to consider the vehicle a total loss. No vehicle manufacturer will warranty a part installed on a vehicle that has been retrieved from a junkyard. Ford, Chrysler, GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo and almost every other vehicle maker has issued statements that state that non-original or salvage parts from a junk yard will void the warranty to that part and any connecting or attaching component or system. Given these facts the parts are not equal to new OEM parts, period!

We have seen insurers so intent on controlling claims cost that they offer to guarantee the specified non-original or junk yard part themselves. It sort of becomes a codicil to your factory warranty in theory. The problem is, does a consumer's right to recover end with that issue? Have you really recovered if your vehicle is rebuilt/restored with non-original or salvage parts from a junkyard and a makeshift warranty? In our opinion, you have not recovered at all. (See "Diminished Value")

Remember that our goal is to return your vehicle to pre-loss conditions. We are not asked to re-engineer the vehicle. As you can see from our expanded explanation, Insurer and shops differ in the proposed repair process. Our staff is trained and is knowledgeable in handling the process and associated pitfalls so that our mutual goals are addressed.

Regardless of the insurer-specified repair, you will be informed of the details by us, involving repair, as the process continues. Once a method of repair and the specified process is outlined, we order the parts as agreed or directed by you. Since a major part of the damage diagnostics have been done, necessary parts identified are ready to order. Generally, it takes 5-7 working days to obtain parts for standard vehicles. While waiting for parts to arrive, work will continue on preliminary repair or structural work. It may be started in anticipation of fit-testing of the new parts. All unibody or frame repairs are completed in our in-house frame and structural alignment department.