Does your mechanic use genuine OEM Honda parts when he repairs your car? In many states, you have no way of knowing. In those states, the only way to ensure that your mechanic uses genuine Honda parts as opposed to aftermarket parts is to specifically request them. Confused about the difference? Here's a rundown about what you should know concerning genuine OEM Honda parts and aftermarket parts.
OEM Honda Parts vs. Aftermarket Car Parts
OEM car parts are automobile parts manufactured by the company that made the original part used in your Honda. OEM parts are an exact match for the part being replaced. They're designed specifically to fit your car and work with the other equipment on your car.
Aftermarket parts are made by other companies. They may be of lesser quality, be made with different materials, or otherwise not meet the same standards for performance and quality. The one thing that most aftermarket parts have going for them is that they are generally less expensive than OEM parts - in many cases, because the manufacturers cut corners or use inferior materials.
Why Insurers Often Require Aftermarket Car Parts
If you've been in an accident covered by insurance, you should know that insurance companies are in the business of saving money. Cheap aftermarket parts are generally less expensive to use than Honda OEM parts. Many people assume that if insurance companies think it's okay, the parts must be safe, but that's simplistic thinking. Insurance companies deal in odds. If the odds are that only one in 1,000 aftermarket parts will fail and cause another accident, and the cost of that one failure is less than the cost of paying for genuine Honda parts in 1,000 cars, the insurance company may choose the lower-cost option despite the safety issues.
The Law
Many states have laws that address whether and under what circumstances aftermarket components can be used to repair damaged vehicles. No matter what the law is, however, nearly all states allow insurance companies to specify the use of aftermarket parts rather than OEM parts in a repair. In a lot of states, the repair company doesn't even have to tell you that you'll be getting aftermarket components rather than genuine Honda parts when they repair your car, nor do they have to ask you which you'd prefer.
Some states, however, are stricter. In New Hampshire, for example, if your Honda is less than 2 years old or has less than 30,000 miles on it, the mechanic must use genuine Honda OEM parts to repair it. In West Virginia, insurance companies must use genuine Honda parts to repair a Honda that is less than 3 years old unless you specifically agree in writing that the repair company can use aftermarket components. Since the laws vary so much from state to state, you should always check the laws in your state regarding the use of aftermarket car components in your car repair.
If you're concerned about safety and quality, the best solution is to ask your mechanic to use genuine OEM Honda parts when repairing your Honda. If your mechanic believes that genuine Honda parts are superior to the same aftermarket parts, the insurance company may be required by law to pay for the genuine parts. In other cases, you may have to pay the difference between the cheaper aftermarket parts and the genuine Honda parts. When your safety and the lives of your family are at stake, the difference is a small price to pay.
Author Resource:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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