| If you are in an auto collision, forget who is at fault | | | | theory is that insurance companies owe you to "put |
| for a minute. The insurance company will try to fix | | | | you back in the position you were before the |
| your car with used parts. They will not try, I was too | | | | accident." |
| kind. They will fix your car with used parts! How can | | | | They argue that at the time of the accident you had |
| this be legal? I believe this is highly unfair, but yet it is | | | | a "used vehicle" (unless you just drove off the lot). |
| perfectly legal. Insurance companies around America | | | | Since your car is used, then your parts are used. |
| are cutting cost and fixing cars with cheaper parts. | | | | Therefore, they will pay only for used parts. If no |
| Forget the original manufactured parts; you get some | | | | used parts are available, then they will "allow" for |
| nice Taiwanese parts. What happen if there are none | | | | new parts, but only OEM parts (manufactured in |
| available? You will get a nice recycled part form a | | | | countries outside the US). |
| junk yard! | | | | So what are your remedies? How can you protect |
| In other, words, your BMW will not get original BMW | | | | yourself? This is one is a hard to fight because most |
| parts; it will get something of less quality. Adjusters | | | | attorneys will not get involved with any auto collisions |
| will argue that this used part, second hand parts, re | | | | that does not involve some sort of bodily injury. So |
| manufactured parts, Original Equipment Manufacturer | | | | you are going to have to fight by yourself. You can |
| (OEM), or/and after market parts are as good, if not | | | | do one of two things. You could pay for the |
| better than the original ones. I believe this is a | | | | difference between the second hand parts that the |
| questionable claim. | | | | insurance company wants to buy and the original |
| I hate to report this is very "normal" for all insurance | | | | parts that you need. You also would have to pay for |
| companies. Your carrier and the carrier of the person | | | | the difference between the labor rates. |
| that hit you will do the same thing. They will price out | | | | You can also ask for a letter of guarantee directly |
| the cheapest parts to fix your car. It gets worse. | | | | from the insurance company. A letter of guarantee is |
| The insurance carrier will also make sure that you do | | | | a document where the insurance company agrees to |
| not go to the dealership for the repairs. You have to | | | | fix your car in the event that you have any problems |
| go to a body shop that has a "reasonable and | | | | with the parts and/or the workmanship of the body |
| necessary" labor rate. Insurance companies argue | | | | shop. The damages must be directly related to the |
| that the dealership hourly rate is much higher the | | | | auto collision in question. Insurance companies will try |
| average body shop in your area and therefore it is | | | | to look on the other direction when you ask for this |
| unreasonable. They only owe for reasonable | | | | letter. They will tell you to ask the body shop |
| expenses, so you will be holding the bag. It does not | | | | directly. Do not let them do that. You want |
| matter that you have auto collision coverage and full | | | | assurances form the insurance company. They are |
| coverage. The insurance company will fight you over | | | | the ones that are telling you that these parts are as |
| this. | | | | good as new. If you ask and you are firm, you could |
| How can they get away with this? Insurance | | | | get them to give you written warranties. |
| companies are very good litigators and lobbyist. The | | | | |