OEM vs Aftermarket Parts: How Insurance Cuts Corners on Your Car Repair
Insurance companies save money by specifying aftermarket parts instead of OEM. Here's what that means for your car's value, safety, and your right to fight back.
Why Insurance Companies Push Aftermarket Parts
When your car goes to the body shop, the insurance adjuster writes an estimate specifying which parts to use. Most adjusters default to aftermarket (non-OEM) parts because they cost 30-60% less than the original manufacturer parts.
The insurance company saves money. Your car gets a part that wasn't made by the company that built it.
Brad DeBry has seen this play out countless times: "Most policies and most state laws require the insurance company to put your car back the way it was before the crash. Don't settle for poor repairs or shoddy work."
The problem? Aftermarket parts don't always fit as well, may not match the original paint perfectly, and can affect your car's long-term value. And buyers at trade-in or resale will notice.
Your Rights in Utah
In Utah, insurance companies can specify aftermarket parts — but with conditions:
- •Parts must be of "like kind and quality" to the original
- •If aftermarket parts don't fit properly, you can demand OEM replacements
- •If aftermarket parts result in visible quality differences (paint mismatch, panel gaps), document it
The key phrase is "like kind and quality." If the aftermarket bumper doesn't match the contour of your car, if the paint texture is different, if there are gaps between panels — that's not "like kind and quality" and you have grounds to demand better.
Under [Utah Admin Code R590-190-11(8)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/utah/Utah-Admin-Code-R590-190-11), insurers must restore your vehicle to its pre-loss condition. Visible quality issues from aftermarket parts violate this requirement.
How Aftermarket Parts Affect Diminished Value
Here's what most people miss: aftermarket parts can increase your diminished value claim.
If the insurance company repaired your car with non-OEM parts, that's an additional factor reducing your vehicle's market value. Buyers and dealers pay less for vehicles repaired with aftermarket parts because:
- •It raises questions about overall repair quality
- •It may void manufacturer warranties on those components
- •It signals the repair was done "on the cheap"
We document aftermarket part usage as part of our diminished value appraisals. It's additional evidence that your car's value has been reduced beyond just the accident history itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can insurance force me to use aftermarket parts?
In Utah, insurers can specify aftermarket parts, but they must be "like kind and quality." If they don't fit properly or cause visible quality issues, you can demand OEM replacements.
Do aftermarket parts affect my car's value?
Yes. Aftermarket parts can increase your diminished value claim. Buyers pay less for vehicles repaired with non-OEM parts, and we document this in our DV appraisals.
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