Parts Used On Your Car

Insurance companies can have very different policies regarding the types of parts used to repair your damaged vehicle. This section is included to explain the differences in original equipment new, aftermarket new, and recycled parts. Your Customer Service Representative can explain what the policies are of the insurance company paying for your repair.

New Original Equipment Parts (OEM)
These are parts that are made by either the manufacturer of your vehicle or a vendor that supplies them to the manufacturer for resale. As a rule, they are identical to the parts that were used during the vehicle manufacturing process.

New Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are copies of the original parts supplied when your vehicle was new. This could be anything from a fender to a headlight. Consumers have been purchasing these parts for years to contain the costs of mechanical repairs. Batteries, tires, and radiators are just a few examples of this. While all insurance companies require the use of aftermarket parts in certain situations, these requirements differ greatly from company to company. Your Customer Service Representative can give you more information pertaining to this. The parts must meet or exceed industry standards for safety, fit, and appearance or Impact Auto Body will contact the insurance company and obtain permission to use OEM parts instead.

Recycled Parts
Recycled or used parts are generally original equipment parts that have been removed from a pre-owned vehicle that has been involved in an accident. This is not only good for the environment, it is another way to help contain costs without affecting repair quality. Each of these parts is inspected closely prior to installation.