If the worst has already happened and
your car has been damaged due to theft, vandalism or an auto
accident then you need to get the repairs started as soon as
possible. There are many factors to take into consideration at this
stage including the kind of parts that the repair shop is
supposed to use on your car. Contrary to popular belief there is
more than one way to go, you can get aftermarket parts or original
equipment manufacturer replacement parts (also known as OEM
parts).
If you leave it up to your insurance
company they will choose the aftermarket parts, as they are a whole
lot cheaper. Many people are sure that the OEM parts are a much
better buy however, and that they are a higher quality part. If you
insist on the OEM parts there is an almost certain chance that the
car insurance company you are with will make you pay the difference
between the aftermarket price and the OEM price. You could be
looking at a cost that is twice as much, that can really add up when
there are many parts that need to be replaced.
It is important to note that the more
aftermarket parts you have in your car the less it is actually worth
on the auto market. If you are thinking that you want to sell your
car in the near future or you are hoping to trade it in then you may
want to stick with the more expensive OEM parts. And if you are
leasing a car you need to read your contract because if you return
the car to them with aftermarket parts in it they might not give you
your security deposit back at all. This is because you are handing
in a very different car, one that is not worth the same amount of
money as the one they let you drive off the lot with.
Then of course you have to worry
about safety. This is a highly debated topic and while many people
say that you will not get the same safety quality out of aftermarket
car parts others just as strongly disagree. Studies have shown that
cars are just as safe in a crash when they have aftermarket parts in
them as when they have OEM parts.
What you need to do is talk to your
insurance company and the repair shop before you hand over your car
to get fixed. Make sure that you know the kinds of parts you will be
getting and that they are the ones that you indeed do want to see
put in. This will help you to keep from getting a nasty surprise
down the road when it comes time to sell or hand in your
lease.
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