Do not forget who was at fault for an accident that results in an automobile collision. Your insurance company will offer to repair your vehicle with used parts. They won’t attempt, they were too kind. They will fix it with old parts. This seems absurd. Although I find this extremely unfair, it is perfectly legal. American insurance companies are cutting costs and fixing cars with lower-quality parts. You don’t need the original parts, you can get parts from Taiwan. What happens if none are available? You’ll get a great part from a junkyard!
This means that your BMW won’t get original BMW parts. It will instead get something with lower quality. The adjusters will say that these used parts, second hand parts and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), as well as after-market parts, are the same quality, if any, as the originals. This is a questionable claim.
It is very normal for all insurance companies, I am sorry. The same will be done by your carrier and the insurance company of the other person who hit you. They will determine the best parts for your car. This is just the beginning. You will be notified by your insurance company that you are not allowed to go to the dealer for repairs. A body shop must have a reasonable and necessary labor rate. Insurance companies claim that the hourly rate charged by the dealership is higher than the average shop in your local area, and that this is unreasonable. The insurance companies only owe reasonable expenses so they will not be responsible. It doesn’t matter whether you have full or auto collision coverage. You will be fought by your insurance company over this.
How could they do this? Insurance companies are great lobbyists and litigators. Insurance companies are expected to put you back in the same position as before the accident.
They say that your vehicle was “used” at the time of the accident (unless you drove off the lot). Your parts will also be used because your car has been used. They will only pay for the used parts. They will only pay for used parts if they are not available.
So, what are your options for protection? How can you help yourself? This is a difficult one to fight, as most attorneys won’t be involved in auto collisions that don’t result in some type of bodily injury. You will have to take the fight to your own. There are two options. You could either pay the difference between the parts the insurance company is willing to purchase and the parts you actually need. The difference in labor rates would also be payable.
The insurance company can also issue a letter guarantee. A letter of assurance is a document that states that the insurance company will fix your car if there are any issues with the body shop’s workmanship or parts. You must have direct ties to the car accident. When you request this letter, insurance companies will attempt to look in the opposite direction. They will tell your to go directly to the body shop. Don’t allow them to do that. The insurance company should give you assurances. These are the ones who will tell you that the parts are as good or better than new. If you insist on asking, they may be able to offer you written warranties.
