Reader question:

Do I have a right to make sure that my car insurance company repairs my car with original manufacturer parts?

Ryan

You sure do.

The parts that you are talking about are called original equipment manufacturer parts, also known as OEM parts, and you definitely can ask that they be used to repair your car. However, just because you are allowed to ask them to be used doesn’t mean that it’s free. A lot of companies will actually charge you a little more money if you want to use OEM parts than if you use aftermarket.

Truthfully, it isn’t worth the money. There is very little difference between aftermarket parts and OEM parts other than the price. In fact, most of the time aftermarket parts are made right alongside OEM parts in the same factory. So why pay extra?

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.