Aftermarket vs OEM parts in insurance repairs

Insurers often write repair estimates with aftermarket, recycled or reconditioned parts because they cost less and, under most policies, the insurer only has to restore your car to its pre-loss condition with parts of "like kind and quality." Cosmetic aftermarket parts generally do not affect crash safety, and regulators require non-factory parts to be at least equal to the originals in fit, quality and performance. If you want factory parts anyway, you can pay the difference, buy an OEM parts endorsement, or rely on a state law where one applies.

The four kinds of replacement parts

Progressive notes that aftermarket parts can be as good as or better than the equivalent OEM part, depending on the manufacturer, and that if you or your shop insist on OEM parts when suitable aftermarket parts are available, you may have to pay the difference (Progressive).

Are aftermarket parts safe?

It depends on which part. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety separates parts into two groups (IIHS):

• Cosmetic parts such as fenders, quarter panels, door skins, bumper covers and trim are not responsible for protecting occupants. IIHS research has shown that their source does not alter crash test results.
• Structural parts form the crush zone and safety cage. Replacements, whether OEM or aftermarket, must replicate the originals exactly to preserve crashworthiness. IIHS says some aftermarket structural parts can meet that requirement.

In 2018, IIHS reviewed crash tests a law firm commissioned of Honda Fit minicars fitted with non-OEM parts and concluded the modified car performed on par with IIHS's own test of the model.

Certification helps. The Certified Automotive Parts Association, established in 1987, runs a testing program for replacement parts and marks certified parts with a yellow and blue quality seal; if there is no seal on the part, it is not CAPA certified (CAPA). Asking whether aftermarket parts on your estimate are certified is reasonable.

Sensors are the modern exception. Parts that hold or sit in front of radar and cameras, such as bumper covers, grilles, brackets and windshields, can affect how driver-assistance systems work. See driver-assistance sensors and the cost of repairs.

What the rules require

States regulate non-OEM parts rather than banning them:

• The NAIC's Unfair Property/Casualty Claims Settlement Practices Model Regulation says insurers may not require replacement crash parts unless they are at least equal to the originals in fit, quality and performance, and that such parts must identify their manufacturer.
• California's claims regulations, 10 CCR 2695.8(g), require non-OEM parts to be at least equal to OEM parts in kind, quality, safety, fit and performance.
• Rhode Island goes further: under R.I. Gen. Laws 27-10.2-2, an insurer may not require aftermarket parts on a car less than 48 months past its date of manufacture without the owner's written consent.

Many states also require the estimate to disclose non-OEM parts. Rules change, so check your state insurance department for current requirements.

Your warranty is safe

A common worry is that aftermarket or recycled parts will void the factory warranty. The Federal Trade Commission says your warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket or recycled parts; a manufacturer can deny coverage only for damage it proves a defective or improperly installed part caused (FTC).

When OEM parts are worth pushing for

• Leased cars, if the lease requires factory parts or penalizes non-OEM repairs at turn-in.
• Newer cars where fit and finish matter to you or to resale value.
• Parts around sensors, where a mismatch can trigger warning lights or calibration problems.
• EVs, where aftermarket body parts are scarce anyway.

How to get OEM parts

1. Read the estimate. Parts are usually coded as OEM, aftermarket ("A/M"), recycled or reconditioned.
2. Ask why. If a non-OEM part appears, ask the adjuster to explain the choice, and ask whether the aftermarket part is certified.
3. Check your state's rules for newer vehicles or required disclosures.
4. Check your policy for an OEM parts endorsement; if you lack one, consider adding it at renewal.
5. Offer to pay the difference if the part matters to you and nothing else applies.
6. Escalate if quality is the issue. If a part does not fit, ask the shop to document it; a properly fitting replacement should be part of the covered repair. For value disputes, your policy may have an appraisal clause; see the appraisal clause: settling a dispute over value.

If another driver hit you and you file a third-party claim with their insurer, your own OEM endorsement does not bind them. Filing under your own collision coverage, paying your deductible and letting your insurer recover it is one way to keep your endorsement in play. Parts that replace worn items may also bring a betterment charge, which is a separate issue from part type.

For your right to choose the shop that does the work, see choosing a repair shop: direct repair programs and your rights.

Key takeaways

• Most policies promise parts of "like kind and quality," which lets insurers use aftermarket, recycled or reconditioned parts.
• Cosmetic aftermarket parts do not affect crash safety, according to IIHS; structural parts must match the originals exactly.
• Regulators require non-OEM parts to equal the originals in fit, quality and performance, and Rhode Island requires owner consent on cars under 48 months old.
• Using aftermarket or recycled parts does not void your factory warranty, according to the FTC.
• To get OEM parts, check state law, add an OEM endorsement, or pay the difference.