You file a claim. The adjuster inspects the damage. A few days later, an estimate lands in your inbox. Everything looks fine — until you read the parts list carefully. Buried in the line items are codes marked “A/M.” Aftermarket. Generic. Not from your vehicle’s manufacturer.
This isn’t a mistake. It’s deliberate policy. And if you don’t catch it, your car gets repaired with parts that may not meet the standards it was built to.
Why Insurers Default to Aftermarket Parts
Insurance companies cover 90% of all collision repairs in the U.S. That volume gives them enormous leverage over repair costs. Their stated goal is to restore your vehicle to its pre-loss condition at a “reasonable cost.” That phrase does a lot of work — mostly in their favor.
Insurers negotiate volume discounts with aftermarket parts distributors. They often direct customers toward preferred repair shops that agree to use those parts. In return, those shops receive tiered incentive payments for hitting aftermarket quotas. The result is a system where cost-cutting decisions get made before your car even enters a bay.
The savings are real. An aftermarket part can cost 20 to 50 percent less than its OEM equivalent. Multiply that across millions of annual claims and you understand exactly why the push is so aggressive.
What’s Actually at Stake
Not every aftermarket part is unsafe. Parts certified by CAPA (Certified Automotive Parts Association) or NSF have passed independent quality testing for fit and function. But the range in quality is wide — and problems aren’t always visible at first.
A Consumer Reports study found non-OEM parts fit poorly, rust faster, and perform at a lower standard than manufacturer parts. A separate Ford study concluded aftermarket parts cause more damage in secondary collisions when used in place of OEM components.
There are financial consequences too:
- Resale value takes a hit. Repairs with non-OEM parts show up in vehicle history reports and can lower what your car is worth when you sell.
- Warranty coverage gets complicated. If an aftermarket part fails and causes additional damage, the manufacturer can deny coverage for that specific repair.
- ADAS systems are especially vulnerable. Modern vehicles integrate radar sensors, cameras, and blind-spot detection into body panels. A slightly off-fit aftermarket part can throw calibration out of spec. That’s not a cosmetic issue — it’s a safety one.
This is precisely why choosing a qualified autobody repair shop matters so much. The right shop catches these issues before parts are ordered, not after the car is already torn apart.
What You Can Demand
Most car owners assume the insurer has final say. They don’t.
You have the right to request OEM parts for your repair. Whether your insurer covers the cost difference depends on your policy language and your state’s laws. But you can always ask — and in many cases, you can push back effectively.
Here’s what to do when you receive an estimate:
Read every line item. Look for codes: A/M means aftermarket, LKQ means used/salvage, RECON means reconditioned. OEM parts carry manufacturer part numbers.
Ask about an OEM endorsement. Many insurers offer this as a policy add-on. If you don’t have one, ask whether you can pay the cost difference to get OEM parts on this specific claim.
Know your state’s rules. Thirty-one states require insurers to disclose when aftermarket parts appear on repair estimates. Six states require your explicit consent before any non-OEM part gets used. New York requires disclosure in writing and mandates that non-OEM parts meet equivalent quality standards.
Choose your own repair facility. Your insurer can recommend shops. They cannot legally force you to use one. That choice stays with you.
Put your OEM request in writing. Document every communication with your insurer. Written records become your strongest tool if a dispute arises.
Lean on your repair shop. A good collision repair shop can submit a supplement to your insurer — a formal request justifying OEM parts based on safety, fit, or calibration requirements. Experienced shops do this routinely.
Newer Vehicles Change the Calculation
The older the car, the easier it is to accept the insurer’s logic. For a ten-year-old vehicle with 130,000 miles, aftermarket trim panels may be a reasonable trade-off. For a car still under warranty — or one with active safety systems — the math shifts entirely.
Airbags, ADAS sensors, suspension components, and structural parts have safety implications, that aftermarket alternatives may not really cover. From field data, it seems aftermarket windshields end up with stress cracks 12 times more often than OEM glass, in just 10,000 miles or so. On a vehicle with a camera-mounted windshield, that failure affects the entire forward-collision warning system.
If your vehicle is under three years old or still under the manufacturer warranty, insisting on OEM parts is worth the conversation — and often worth paying any small difference out of pocket.
Choose the Right Shop for Spectrum Auto Inc.
At Spectrum Auto Inc. , serving West Nyack , Montrose, Cortlandt, Wurtsboro and Rockland County, NY we advocate for your vehicle—not just whatever your insurer’s budget says. Our team goes through every estimate line by line, point out aftermarket substitutions that don’t quite meet the manufacturer’s standards, and we send supplements straight to your insurer, when OEM parts are actually warranted. We work with your insurance company. We don’t work for them. Your repair gets done right, with the parts your car was designed for.
FAQs
- Can my insurance company force me to use aftermarket parts?
No. Insurers write estimates with aftermarket parts, but you have the right to request OEM alternatives. Depending on your state and policy, you may need to cover the cost difference. You cannot be legally required to accept non-OEM parts without prior written disclosure.
- Will aftermarket parts void my car’s warranty?
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents blanket warranty cancellations due to non-OEM parts. But if an aftermarket part directly causes damage, the manufacturer can deny coverage for that specific repair. Safety-critical components carry the highest risk.
- How do I know if my estimate includes aftermarket parts?
Check the line items for codes: A/M (aftermarket), LKQ (used/salvage), or RECON (reconditioned). OEM parts list manufacturer part numbers. Ask your shop to walk you through the full estimate before you sign anything.
- Is it worth paying out of pocket for OEM parts?
For newer vehicles, vehicles under warranty, or repairs involving structural or ADAS components — yes. For older, high-mileage vehicles getting cosmetic repairs, CAPA-certified aftermarket parts can be a reasonable option. Your repair shop should help you weigh the decision based on your car’s age, value, and what systems the repair touches.