KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Choosing the collision repair facility where your vehicle will be repaired is your first critical decision; in most cases, you have the right to make that decision. Unfortunately, not all body shops have the same capabilities or customer service philosophy. Many do not have properly trained technicians or have the right equipment to fix your vehicle according to strict manufacturer guidelines, so do your research.

Your insurance company may suggest you use one of its “direct-repair facilities”—these are shops with which the insurer has a contractual agreement. Sometimes, they consider the insurance company’s needs a higher priority than the vehicle owner’s. The industry has seen, time and time again, that substandard repairs can result from this kind of repair philosophy, as DRP shops cut corners to meet insurance company demands.

Remember, the body shop is fixing YOUR vehicle for YOU, and you must be comfortable with your chosen shop. If you’re making an insurance claim, your insurer pays the bill, but most states prohibit the insurer from requiring you to use a particular shop—ultimately, no matter what you hear, the body shop is YOUR CHOICE.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts

As a consumer, you have the right to request that your vehicle be repaired only with Original Equipment (OE) collision replacement parts. These parts are produced by the original vehicle manufacturer and ensure proper fit, function, and, most important – safety.

Two factors influence whether your request will be honored: your insurance policy limitations and local (state) laws and regulations regarding collision repair. Check your policy for information about whether or not yours specifies original parts or specifies alternative parts of “like kind and quality.” At GW & Son, we will always advocate on your behalf for the use of original parts.

In Oklahoma, the law states that the consumer must be advised if the insurer intends to specify non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts: 

No insurer shall specify the use of non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts in the repair of an insured’s motor vehicle, nor shall a repair facility or installer use non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts to repair a vehicle, unless the consumer is advised in writing. In all instances where non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts are intended for use by an insurer:

1. the written estimate shall clearly identify each such part; and

2. a disclosure document containing substantially the following information in ten-point type or larger type shall appear on or be attached to the insured’s copy of the estimate: “This estimate has been prepared based on the use of crash parts supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle. Warranties applicable to these replacement parts are provided by the manufacturer or distributor of these parts rather than the manufacturer of your vehicle.”