by Guest » Tue Aug 05, 2008 09:36 pm
Okay, went and got an estimate from a Geico express site today for a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The car is about 5 months old and has 5,000 miles. They want to give me aftermarket parts on a practically new car. Even worse, the shop that's attached to the Geico Auto Repair Express site is a certified Toyota repair shop.
1. Isn't a 5 month old car new enough to get certified parts?
2. Doesn't a certified shop have to use certified parts?
3. Do I have any recourse here? Is there any sort of leverage when dealing with a Geico adjuster? Does the lawyer card work? How about mentioning that I work for a local newspaper?
1. Isn't a 5 month old car new enough to get certified parts?
2. Doesn't a certified shop have to use certified parts?
3. Do I have any recourse here? Is there any sort of leverage when dealing with a Geico adjuster? Does the lawyer card work? How about mentioning that I work for a local newspaper?
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 06:05 am Post Subject:
The OEM's want to sell new vehicles first and foremost. Parts can be more of a burden than a profit center for them.
Huh? Vehicle manufacturers make WAY more money from parts then from selling their vehicles!The issue is that consumers should be told before a loss occurs that aftermarket parts will used so that the consumer can make an informed insurance purchase decision. Springing this on them and the repairer at the worst possible time , after they purchased the policy and then involved in an accident, is just wrong.
In many cases it's a liability claim... which means laws apply. In some cases it's a 1st party claim and the insurance contract applies. If the person does not read their policy or ask questions or if the person does not know the laws, is the insurance company to blame for this?As confirmed above, AM parts are not illegal. We've also established that there is also no indication that they are less safe then OEM parts.
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:19 am Post Subject:
I should have a choice between two kinds of polices
I'll agree with you there...and there is a company or two that offer this (expensive) endorsement...900500, I'm not sure if your an adjuster, collision repair tech/owner, or somewhere in between...but let me tell you (you may already know this)...since a/m parts have come so far, in quality and availablity the prices of oem have went thru the floor...to the point that nearly all of them are price matching a /m completely on every sheet! Now you and I both know they are 'still' making money on those parts, they are not giving them away....prior to this the prices were double/triple what they are now...if for no other reason, (and I think there are plenty of other reasons too)....this has to be seen as a good thing...for everyone...(well except now the big boys are making a reasonable markup rather than 100% or better :roll: )
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 05:49 pm Post Subject:
http://abrn.search-autoparts.com/abrn/Collision+Repair/Hartford-DRP-only-policy-rider-draws-calls-for-ste/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/526484?ref=25
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 06:11 pm Post Subject:
I had to laugh a little...
In exchange for a discount on their premiums...
and from Eversman...If this is successful, all the major insurance companies will do this and there will be no independent collision repair industry
Reminds me of Chicken Little. What Eversman is _really_ saying is that people should _not_ be given the choice of using DRPs for a reduced premium. We just can't have that! Imagine... insured's with _choices_. Everyone should be _required_ to pay higher premiums so that independent shops can charge what ever they want.But this thread is really about using AM parts on newer vehicles. Feel free to start a new thread.
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 08:45 pm Post Subject:
I'll go on record (think I already did but hey)...NO I think the OP should get new oem parts on the 2008 vehicle...with less than 12-15k miles...
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 09:03 pm Post Subject:
Doing a final bill on a 08 Mustang right now. Fender $149.68. Core support $457.92. Push down here, pop up there. Rivits $3.65 each! About $.20 aftermarket. I see little if any overall savings using AM parts, but what do i know.
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 09:09 pm Post Subject:
but what do i know.
That sure is a familar quote :wink:Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 05:15 am Post Subject:
Hi 900500,
This one seems to be an useful link for all!
Its quite true that the accident victims are left unaware of the choices that they have following a mishap. If they would come to know that they have the right to deny materials or get things repaired using materials that they feel is good...that would certainly make them happier..But I'd still need to see what the others have to say regarding whats said to have been goiung between the insurers & repairers. Even I have to see whether the regulators would still carry on sleeping or wake up to get things for the better!
Regards, ArindamSenIndies
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:18 am Post Subject: after market parts
many after market parts have been tested and are certified (capa) which means they have gone through a very strict process of testing to insure fit, safety and durability. the aftermarket parts of yesterday are totally different from today's. in fact in some cases the capa certified parts have proven to be better than oem( which many of these oem parts are manufactured in mexico with cheap labor) i would ask if they are going to be using capa parts on your vehicle. if there is a problem using the aftermarket part the insurance company has to make it right. The shops really have little to no control over whether to use aftermarket or not. If insurance company has stated on the estimate to use aftermarket parts the shop has to do it or pay the difference.
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 01:27 am Post Subject:
many after market parts have been tested and are certified (capa) which means they have gone through a very strict process of testing to insure fit, safety and durability.
Please share any documentation that you have or know of where any aftermarket parts have been tested for safety or durability.
in fact in some cases the capa certified parts have proven to be better than oem( which many of these oem parts are manufactured in mexico with cheap labor)
Please share any parts that you personally have used that you believe are better than oem. The oems use Mexico and Canada for many pieces of trim or bumpers that need to be chrome plated because manufacturers can not afford to chrome plate economically in the states because of hazardous waste restrictions. We are simply polluting our neighbors property and taking advantage of lack of laws protecting the safety and wages of third world country workers. I have yet to see an A/M part that was equivalent in fit, e-coat, corrosion protection. I'll agree that they are certainly better than they were even five years ago but are not equal to or better than oem parts. In most cases the plastic headlite mounting panel reinforcements are lighter than and are not as precision fit as oems. The spot welds on A/M parts are usually smaller and fewer in number than oem. The contours of A/M parts most likely will have stress marks and buckling at bends compared to oem parts.
The shops really have little to no control over whether to use aftermarket or not. If insurance company has stated on the estimate to use aftermarket parts the shop has to do it or pay the difference.
Unless that shop has a contractual arrangement with the insurer, the insurer can not force the shop to comply with anything. Only the vehicle owner can authorize any repairs to their damaged vehicles and they can choose to have what ever parts they wish to have their vehicle repaired with. The shop is not bound by the terms and conditions of any policy that a vehicle owner may have with their insurer or that of the negligent third party that may be responsible for the cost of repairs to a vehicle. Shops owners are not licensed attornies nor are they public adjusters, they have no legal or statutory right to negotiate for the repair of property or property damage settlements on behalf of the vehicle owner under all states unauthorized practice of law statutes.
If insurance company has stated on the estimate to use aftermarket parts the shop has to do it or pay the difference
Incorrect; the vehicle owner has to pay the difference and they can then invoke their appraisal clause, sue in small claims for the difference or simply live with imitation parts on their vehicle. If you live in a state where statutes require that if an insurer prepares an estimate with aftermarket or imitation parts, and those parts do not meet the definition of the law in terms of fit, quality, and equal to the original, you can then claim the insurer did not make you whole. Simply because a policy says that they can use non oem parts, that does not give an insurer carte blance to use inferior or cheaper parts if they do not meet the like, kind, and quality definition of the state statutes.
Many adjusters and appraisers will make the claim that they simply do not have problems with their preferred shops that are mandated to use higher percentages of these parts to control cost. If those shops truly complained regularly about the quality of those parts and the fit, they would simply be removed from their preferred programs.
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