The city of Cincinnati has a population of about 333,000 people, and there are somewhere around 1.6 million within the metropolitan area. It goes without saying that, there’s a large amount of auto traffic commensurate with the large population, with the inevitable outcome that there are going to be car accidents in Cincinnati. Accordingly, a percentage of that population will be looking for a Cincinnati body shop. to fix their auto.
Now how do the majority of local people decide on a Cincinnati body shop? When a vehicle accident takes place, those involved will be contacting their insurance agent, and usually the insurance representative will direct his customer to an body shop that he advocates.
When you submit a claim, your insurance agent will suggest a body shop where you can take your auto for car repairs. However, it could turn out very badly for the client if he takes his automobile to the shop his insurance representative has advised. So let’s examine the reason:
The repair shop recommended by an insurance representative is one within the company’s “direct repair program.” This is a contractual agreement between a vehicle insurance firm and a shop. Under the agreement, the shop must repair the cars of customers sent by the insurance firm. In return, the insurer will “steer” their customers toward the auto body repair shop.
Often the auto body shop is required, under the agreement, to write all estimates using aftermarket auto parts. In addition, it is agreed that the repair shop is liable for repairs, and must indemnify the insurer in the event of legal action.
You may be thinking why it would matter to you if the auto body repair shop uses aftermarket car parts to repair your car. “Why should I care?” Well, you are about to discover why, and it may well surprise you!
Aftermarket auto parts, otherwise known as replacement crash, salvage, or rebuilt parts, are auto parts that are manufactured by a company other than the original maker or vendor. Aftermarket suppliers are generally located outside of North America, frequently in Taiwan.
Luckily for your insurance carrier, these kind of car parts are less expensive than OEM (original equipment manufacturer) auto parts, thus saving the insurance company money the result being greater profits. But unfortunately for you, they are typically inferior to parts produced by the maker of your car, or his specified vendor. They may result in repairs the are unsafe or, at minimum, are likely to fail, resulting in further auto repairs to become needed.
Given that there are liability concerns involved if vehicle repairs are made in a substandard manner, for what possible reason would a Cincinnati body shop willingly sign a contract to be in the direct repair program? The answer is simple: they don’t want to be forced out of business! Because it’s a matter of the survival of their business. What happens if they won’t sign, is that the insurers will send their clients to other collision shops.
Suppose you need repairs and opt to patronize a Cincinnati body shop that does not have a contract with your insurer. Your insurance carrier may well play “dirty tricks” to convince you that you made the wrong choice. Possibly they will hesitate at covering repairs - or possibly drag their feet about sending out an adjustor to look at your automobile.
Does this create a hassle for you? Sure. But it’s worthwhile if your only other choice is to go to their “preferred” auto body shop and have to endure the potential consequences.
So the important thing is, do not just thoughtlessly accept the (perhaps bad) advice of your insurance representative. If the shop your insurance representative proposes is using aftermarket auto parts, find another shop. And if your insurance company representative says “We can’t give you a rental if you go to that body shop”, “If you go to a non-preferred body shop your repair will be delayed waiting for for our adjustor to examine the car”, or “You will need to pay more if you use the shop of your choice” understand the these are not truthful statements, and are intended to steer you to a shop that may do substandard repairs - just so your insurer can save money.
