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Imitation Auto Parts

If your car is damaged in an auto accident, you want it repaired as quickly as possible.

And chances are, you want the body shop to use original parts to make it look new.

But what if the answer is no?

"The other driver cut the corner and drove straight over my car!"

Caryn Creamer says she's been hit twice: First, by the driver who ran into her car, and then by the driver's insurance company!

"The body shop repairman called me back and said: You do realize they have you down for accepting non OEM aftermarket parts?"

Karen thought her car would be re repaired with original manufacturer or "OEM" parts. But then she learned the fine print of her repair contract insisted on "Aftermarket" parts, which some people call "Imitation" parts.

"My concern with aftermarket non OEM parts is that is not gonna look right, its not gonna drive right."

"this bumper was aftermarket."

Carl Mindum runs an autobody shop, here in Goshen, Clermont County.

He says many insurance agents and body shops won't admit this....but he will: Some aftermarket parts don't fit.
"Yhis would not stay in, and it had this gap around the edge."

This bumper cover is just one example.

He then shows me some strange gaps on this SUV, repaired with aftermarket parts.
"I can get my whole thumb in between here on the side."

Mindum says many insurance companies now require him to use aftermarket parts, because it saves hundreds of dollars per repair.
"Their attitude is just tough luck!"

He says, though, if it doesn't fit, he gets blamed,

"The repair isn't what it should be, and the body shop ends up the bad guy."
But Mindum has some solutions.

If your insurance insists on aftermarket parts, look for a label like this one...which indicates the part meets manufacturers standards.
--So make sure any parts say either "CAPA certified" or "MQVP certified."

--Or, if you still want original parts, offer to pay the difference.

--But to prevent this problem in the first place, ask your insurance company if you can specify "original parts only" on your policy.

Otherwise you may end up like caryn, who says she's a victim twice.

"I'm being punished for something thats not my fault!"

My advice? Ask your insurance company before your next accident what type of parts they'll pay for..

If they say "aftermarket," and you dont like that, ask how much extra it would cost for original manufactures parts.

And as always dont waste

Your money. I'm John Matarese.
http://www.wcpo.com/wcpo/localshows/dontwasteyourmoney/745939.html

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