Any shop outside of an Insurance Company’s “network” is going to be perceived as more “expensive”. There are many factors included when having your vehicle repaired, especially when it comes to quality. Just because someone else is “capable” of performing a repair doesn’t mean the job is properly completed with the necessary certifications, skills, latest technologies, or the correct parts. Most importantly, does the repair facility have your best interest in mind? At the end of the day you want the job done right. And at Flemington Auto Body, that’s exactly what we do.

As independent body shops, Flemington Auto Body doesn’t allow Insurance Companies to dictate how we do what we do best. Insurance Companies are responsible for bringing a vehicle back to “pre-damage” condition, regardless of where it gets repaired. Our preference is to use OEM parts for a repair because we believe they are the best thing for the customer and the vehicle. If you have an OEM provision in your insurance contract or your insurance provider specifies the use of OEM parts then you should be covered. If not, then you may be responsible for the difference in the cost of the part(s) should you choose to have us use OEM parts for your repair. Are OEM parts more expensive than aftermarket or salvaged parts? Yes, but not as much as you think. And ask yourself, “Does the cheaper cost outweigh the benefit of safety?”. But we do everything we can when dealing with Insurance Companies to have them cover all or as much as possible of the repair for our customers.

This is the number 1 question that we receive from customers. Know this: It is called an estimate for a reason. 99.99% of the time this initial “estimate” and written check NEVER reflect the final payout from the Insurance Company.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover”

Estimate Check and Supplemental Check(s)

When doing their assessment, Insurance Companies are looking at the exterior/visible portion or your vehicles damage. The estimate and check being written is based on this initial view even though the claims adjuster knows full well that there is more damage below the surface. Even the most clueless of drivers know that an automobile is more than just sheets of metal, glass, and an engine. There are springs, brackets, levers, and numerous other mechanisms involved in a vehicles construction.

Think of it this way. Say you experience a bad ankle injury. You go to a doctor’s office. The doctor sees that you have bruising and swelling. Does he just say take 2 and call me in the morning? No. He suggests an X-ray to determine bone damage. Does it stop there? Usually not. Then there is an MRI to determine ligament damage. Make sense?

It’s the same thing with your vehicle. Just because you see your car “bruised” doesn’t mean there isn’t bone and ligament damage.

The full damage (and cost) cannot fully be determined until the vehicle is put up on a lift with the damaged portion initially disassembled and rigorously inspected.

At Classic Coachwork, we call your Insurance Company after we have done this, they then send their representative out again to reassess the damage and provide a “supplemental” check, an additional payment to cover further damages and repair. And don’t think that there is only 1 supplemental check. Once the repair process begins and all parts get removed from the vehicle their could potentially be more damage, thus causing us to call your Insurance Company again to reassess damage and write another check.

You should first review your Insurance policy and/carrier to see if the use of OEM parts is noted in your policy.

“You get what you pay for”

The Great Parts Debate OEM vs. Aftermarket

Unless your Insurance Provider dictates, or you have an OEM Rider in your insurance contract, you are going to be told by your Insurance Company that your car will be repaired with aftermarket or salvage/recycled parts. This is, again, another way they are trying to save money at your expense. When you Google “oem vs aftermarket car parts” you are met with nearly a million search results. However, the vast majority of these results only scratch the surface on this debate when referring to body panels/body parts. A lot of sites will talk about that aftermarket parts can be just as good if not better than the original manufacturer’s parts. In certain instances this can be true. Windshield wipers are an example of this truth. Sport tuning and certain engine parts can also be used as an example. Body parts are quite a bit different. Let’s go over why:

• Safety – The biggest factor to consider with this debate is safety. OEM parts have been tested in crash impact environments during vehicle production to provide the safest crumble and impact points of the vehicle. This testing is done to meet the standards set forth by the federal government. The same cannot be said for aftermarket parts. Most aftermarket parts manufacturers produce many components for all sorts of vehicles, do you think they are taking the time to individually test every single piece, part, and component they produce for every vehicle? The below video from Consumer Reports gave an OEM and Aftermarket bumper a safety test, take a look at the result for yourself:
  
  
• Production Quality – Another factor to consider when choosing aftermarket parts is the environment in which that part was made. Different countries have different standards of workmanship. To save money, aftermarket manufacturing is done in countries with less quality control in the production of a part. The result being a sacrifice in quality. With the vast array of aftermarket parts available, how will you really know where your replacement part(s) are coming from?
  
  
• Materials – Another money saving move made by many aftermarket parts manufacturers is the use of cheaper material in their parts. OEM parts are made to the exact same specifications that came when you first purchased your vehicle. See the above video again for the result of cheaper materials.
  
  
• Fit – When you are buying in OEM part, it is going to be constructed to the exact specifications of your car, meaning proper screw hole alignment, seam placement, and impact crash rating. These tend to vary on aftermarket parts and can require adjustments that will affect your final repair. In some cases the part may not fit at all requiring a new one to be ordered and delaying your repair.

At the end of the day it is your choice as to what parts you would like for us to use to repair your vehicle. At Classic Coachwork, our preference is always to use OEM replacement parts for the above stated reasons, but we work for you and will comply should you choose aftermarket or recycled parts. Are OEM parts more expensive than aftermarket? Yes, but not as much as you think. And can you really put a price on you or your family’s safety?

How does the Insurance Company know how long our job will take? They are professional check writers, not the professionals. Flemington Auto Body is able to keep a comprehensive amount of parts at our shops to accommodate the speed in which we get the car back to our customers. There is no reason or advantage for us to keep a vehicle longer than it has to. In fact, we actually LOSE money the longer we have your vehicle. Remember, we don’t deposit a single penny for your repair until you pick up your vehicle.

We absolutely guarantee the workmanship that is performed by our technicians and specialists. We take pride in our reputation and craftsmanship of our work.

The parts are warrantied through the manufacturer of the part, whether it be an OEM or aftermarket. While Flemington Auto Body guarantees our work, we do not specifically warranty the part used. HOWEVER, should there be an issue with the part used, we will work with you, your Insurance Company, and wherever the part came from to ensure everything works out.

If your car is towed to Flemington Auto Body and your Insurance Company decides that your vehicle is totaled, it is up to you and your Insurance Company to determine next steps. We can provide you with advice and answer any questions that you may have.