CNN Investigation – Body Shops Say Insurance Companies Skimp on Safety
Excerpted transcript from Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN:
If you car is ever damaged in an accident and repaired by a major insurance company in this country, there are major federal and state lawsuits underway that you should probably know about. Autobody shops across the United States…more than 500 of them…claim that some big insurance companies have long deliberately skimped when it comes to repairing damaged vehicles…all so the insurance companies can pad their profits.
The lawsuits allege it’s a scheme that can not only lead to rushed and minimal repairs, but repairs that can include using recycled, re-manufactured as one lawyer puts it and junk parts to fix your car. Some Attorney’s General believe the alleged scheme may have another effect…you could be driving a very dangerous car.
CNN’s Senior Investigative Correspondent Drew Griffin reports… (Watch Video Above)
Consumer Reports – Aftermarket Car Replacement Parts
Want another trusted perspective?…like Consumer Reports? New crash-test video dramatically illustrates what can happen when a cheap aftermarket part suffers even a low-speed impact.
Some aftermarket car repair parts are not up to original equipment standards. Here (video above), a 2006-2009 Ford Fusion front bumper reinforcement does the job it was engineered to do. It deforms and absorbs a 6.1 mph impact to protect the vehicle…then springs back into shape. This part, normally concealed behind the car’s cometic bumper cover, is made of a relatively pliable plastic. The non-Ford replacement part does nothing to protect the vehicle in a dramatic failure. (Watch Video Above)
Edmunds – Aftermarket Versus Manufacturer Car Parts – Is the Extra Cost Worth It?
When Should You Request OEM Parts?
When it comes to collision repairs, make sure you are getting OEM parts, since aftermarket body panels may not fit properly or have proper crumple zones for crash safety.
If you lease your car, there are also economic considerations. Since aftermarket parts decrease a vehicle’s book value, using them to repair your vehicle’s body may cost you part or all of your security deposit.
But here’s the rub: In 21 states and the District of Columbia, a body shop’s repair estimate does not have to indicate whether aftermarket parts will be used. You’ll often find that your insurance company will favor aftermarket parts because they are cheaper. If you request OEM parts, some insurance companies ask you to pay an additional fee. Check with your insurance provider beforehand, to see what parts they will cover.
Read More – Edmunds
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-nUcptj5STmCEj.gif\")