OEM PARTS
WHY OEM PARTS MATTER
Shane Florea from North Idaho Collision Repair Center in Bonners Ferry answering your questions about aftermarket parts.
“I hear a lot about OEM parts, what is that?”
OEM parts means “Original Manufactured Parts” which are made by the manufacturer of your particular vehicle. Honda has Honda parts, Toyota has Toyota parts, etc.
Aftermarket parts are made in China, and they don’t fit correctly or have the same corrosion protection as the original manufactured parts do.
At North Idaho Collision you can rest assured that we only use OEM parts. We do this to make sure that your car is returned to pre-accident condition, not repaired to a lesser degree.
“If you receive an insurance estimate that includes aftermarket parts, how do you handle that?”
That’s where we’re different than most shops. We cover the cost to put OEM parts back on your car, regardless of what the insurance company pays for.
What are OEM Parts?
OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are produced by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Honda has Honda parts, Toyota has Toyota parts, Ford has Ford parts…you get the picture. Pro’s of OEM parts include the following:
- Functions in the same way as the original auto parts, ensuring the vehicle will perform as it did prior to damage.
- Made to the exact specifications of the original manufacturer ensuring the replacement part will fit seamlessly in its place.
- Have the same corrosion protection giving you assurance the life expectancy of the part remains the same.
What are Aftermarket Parts?
Aftermarket parts are produced by a third party manufacturer (most often from China), and because they are an inferior product, can be less expensive. However, this comes at a price. Cons of aftermarket parts include the following:
- Fit poorly, and do not have the same corrosion protection as the original manufactured parts do.
- Can void your warranty.
- Repairs the vehicle to a lesser degree as opposed to restoring to pre-accident condition.
Which Parts are Best?
It’s pretty clear that OEM parts provide a superior option, yet in today’s market, saving money at the onset can be tempting. At North Idaho Collision Repair Center, we help eliminate that temptation by exclusively using superior OEM parts, and are proud to offer our Comp Program to further protect you. Did you know that about 85% of all insurance estimates are written to include aftermarket parts? If your insurance company is only willing to pay for aftermarket parts in repairing your vehicle, we will cover the cost to use OEM parts. That’s right; we pick up the difference. Some exclusions may apply, but not many, making OEM parts an easy choice.
Bottom Line
It’s always your choice where you take your vehicle for repairs, and it’s illegal for your insurance company to tell you differently. Here at North Idaho Collision Repair Center, we genuinely care about you on a personal level, and are passionate about the way your vehicle is repaired. From the moment you walk through the door, you can have peace of mind knowing we will take care of all your needs from car rentals, to insurance claims, and everything in between.
