Used vs. New Replacement Parts
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS REPAIRS
After a collision, you took your vehicle to the shop, ready for it to be good as new. When you got your car back, however, you were dismayed to learn they fixed it with used parts.
While you’re waiting for the at-fault driver’s insurance to finalize their investigation into the collision, you can opt to have your own policy take care of vehicle repairs if you have collision coverage. This should expedite the process and help to minimize any subsequent damage. You should also know that using your collision coverage to minimize damage to your car is not an admission of guilt and shouldn’t negatively affect your insurance rating. After the at-fault driver’s insurance has completed their investigation, your insurance company will submit a request for reimbursement to the at-fault insurance company. Have questions following a collision? Reach out to us. Our bilingual office staff will be happy to talk to you about your options and set your up for success with your claim.
Following a collision, repair shops will often use used parts for replacements based on the standard set forth by most insurance companies. You might be surprised to find out that insurance companies aren’t necessarily required to replace damaged parts with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Laws vary by state, but generally, insurance companies are responsible for returning your car to you following collision repairs in the condition it was prior to that collision, not in better condition. The law allows them to use non-OEM parts to cover repairs. If OEM parts are important to you, you can generally pay a betterment fee (usually the difference in cost between the new part and the used part) to have new OEM parts used. When shopping insurance carriers, you can also ask agents if their policies cover OEM replacement parts. Do note that for older car models, OEM parts are not always available, in which case aftermarket or used parts will be used.
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Puerto Rican Breakfast Custard Ingredients • 2 tablespoons cornstarch • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 3 tablespoons white sugar • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 cups whole milk Directions 1. In a large saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, salt, sugar, and cinnamon. 2. Stir milk into mixture to evenly blend ingredients and set over medium-high heat. Continue whisking while cooking until custard reaches a thick consistency (about 25– 30 minutes). It is important to stir continuously, or the custard can easily burn or clump. 3. The custard will continue to thicken as it cools. Spoon into bowls to serve.
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