Can an Insurance Company Refuse to Pay for OEM Collision Parts?

Most Drivers Want Their Vehicle Repaired the Right Way

That often means using the same type of parts the vehicle was originally built with: Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, parts.

But then the insurance estimate arrives.

Instead of authorizing OEM parts, the insurance company may specify aftermarket, recycled, or alternative replacement parts because they cost less. That leaves many Arizona drivers asking an important question:

Can an insurance company refuse to pay for OEM collision parts?

The short answer is yes, in some situations an insurance company may decline to pay the full cost of OEM parts. Whether OEM parts are covered can depend on your insurance policy, the age and condition of your vehicle, the parts involved, manufacturer repair requirements, and the circumstances of the claim.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the insurance company’s first estimate is the final word.

At Arizona Collision Center in Tempe, our team works directly with insurance companies, documents necessary repairs, follows manufacturer repair procedures, and advocates for OEM parts whenever possible.

What Are OEM Collision Parts?

OEM parts are replacement components made by or specifically for your vehicle’s manufacturer.

For example, if your Nissan, INFINITI, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, or another vehicle requires a replacement bumper, fender, hood, reinforcement, or other collision-related component, an OEM part is designed for that particular vehicle.

Aftermarket parts are manufactured by companies other than the original vehicle manufacturer.

The difference can matter.

Modern vehicles are engineered as complete systems. Body panels, structural components, cameras, radar sensors, brackets, mounting points, and other components may all work together as part of the vehicle’s design.

For Arizona Collision Center, collision repair isn’t simply about making a damaged vehicle look good again. The goal is to follow the appropriate manufacturer repair procedures and restore the vehicle properly.

Does Insurance Have to Pay for OEM Parts in Arizona?

Not automatically.

Insurance coverage is governed in large part by the terms of the applicable policy and claim. Some policies provide broader OEM parts coverage, while others may allow the insurer to base its estimate on aftermarket, recycled, reconditioned, or other alternative parts when appropriate.

Arizona does, however, have specific requirements involving aftermarket crash parts.

When certain non-OEM aftermarket crash parts are proposed for a repair, Arizona law requires that they be identified and that the consumer receive written notice explaining that the replacement parts come from a source other than the vehicle manufacturer.

So if an insurer’s estimate includes non-OEM parts, don’t simply assume you have no other options.

Ask questions.

Why Would an Insurance Company Prefer Aftermarket Parts?

Usually, the biggest reason is cost.

Insurance companies are responsible for paying covered claims according to the policy, and alternative parts can sometimes cost substantially less than new OEM components.

That can create a disagreement between what an insurer initially estimates and what a collision repair facility believes is appropriate for the repair.

This is where choosing the right collision repair shop in Tempe or Phoenix becomes important.

An experienced repair facility can research manufacturer procedures, document the damage, identify the required parts and operations, and communicate that information to the insurance adjuster.

Can You Request OEM Parts After an Accident?

Yes. You can request OEM parts.

Requesting them, however, doesn’t guarantee the insurance company will approve every OEM component.

When Arizona Collision Center believes an OEM component is appropriate, our team can provide the insurer with documentation supporting the repair plan. That may include photographs, vehicle-specific repair information, manufacturer procedures, measurements, diagnostic information, and other documentation related to the damage.

There may also be situations where an insurer initially writes an estimate using an alternative part but changes or supplements the estimate after receiving additional repair documentation.

This is one reason the first insurance estimate shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as the complete repair plan.

What Happens If Insurance Won’t Pay the Full OEM Price?

There are several possible outcomes.

The insurer may reconsider after receiving additional documentation. The repair shop may identify circumstances that support the use of an OEM component. Depending on the insurance policy and repair situation, the vehicle owner may also have the option of paying a price difference for a particular OEM part.

Every claim is different.

Before authorizing repairs, ask the collision center to explain:

• Which parts the insurance company has authorized
• Whether those parts are OEM, aftermarket, recycled, or reconditioned
• Why a particular component is being recommended
• Whether manufacturer procedures affect the repair
• Whether the shop will communicate with the insurer about OEM approval

A quality body shop should be willing to explain the repair rather than expecting you to blindly accept an estimate.

Why OEM Parts Can Be Important on Today’s Vehicles

Collision repair has changed dramatically.

Today’s vehicles can contain advanced driver-assistance systems, cameras, radar, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, sophisticated restraint systems, and carefully engineered structural components.

Even a bumper is no longer necessarily “just a bumper.”

Components behind or attached to it may be associated with vehicle safety and driver-assistance technology.

That’s why Arizona Collision Center focuses on manufacturer-specified repair procedures rather than simply finding the cheapest way to replace a damaged component.

Do You Have to Use the Body Shop Your Insurance Company Recommends?

No. Arizona drivers can choose their own collision repair facility.

Your insurance company may recommend a shop within its preferred repair network, but you can select the collision center you want to repair your vehicle.

That distinction matters.

Arizona Collision Center is an independent collision repair facility. Our shop works with insurance companies during the claims process, but its repair recommendations aren’t based on an agreement to generate business from a particular insurer.

Our team can document damage, prepare the repair plan, communicate with the adjuster, submit supplements when additional damage is discovered, and advocate for appropriate repair procedures and OEM parts.

What Is a Collision Repair Supplement?

A supplement is an additional request submitted to an insurance company after the initial estimate when necessary damage, parts, or repair procedures are discovered that weren’t included in the original estimate.

This happens frequently after a damaged vehicle is disassembled.

A bumper cover may hide reinforcement damage. A damaged exterior panel may conceal structural issues. Sensors, brackets, wiring, or other components may not be fully evaluated until disassembly begins.

When additional damage is found, Arizona Collision Center documents it and works with the insurance company to address the additional repairs.

Choosing an OEM-Focused Collision Repair Shop in Tempe, Arizona

If you’ve been in an accident in Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, or elsewhere in the Valley, don’t choose a body shop based solely on the insurance company’s initial estimate.

Ask how your vehicle will actually be repaired.

Arizona Collision Center uses OEM parts and follows manufacturer repair procedures while helping customers navigate the insurance claims process. Its technicians are I-CAR Gold Class certified, and the Tempe facility works with a wide variety of vehicle manufacturers.

The goal isn’t simply to repair what you can see.

It’s to properly address the damage and get you safely back on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance and OEM Parts

Can my insurance company make me use aftermarket parts?

An insurer may write an estimate using qualifying alternative parts depending on the policy and claim. Arizona has disclosure requirements for certain non-OEM aftermarket crash parts. If you have concerns about a part listed on your estimate, ask your collision repair facility to review it before repairs begin.

Can I tell the body shop that I only want OEM parts?

Yes. You can tell the repair facility that you prefer OEM parts. However, insurance coverage is a separate issue, and your insurer may not agree to pay the entire OEM cost in every situation. The collision center can discuss the available options with you.

Will Arizona Collision Center work with my insurance company?

Yes. Arizona Collision Center assists customers with the collision claims process, including damage documentation, estimates, communication with insurance adjusters, supplements, manufacturer repair information, and requests for OEM parts when appropriate.

Can I choose Arizona Collision Center even if my insurance company recommends another shop?

Yes. You have the right to select your own repair facility. An insurance company may recommend a preferred collision center, but you are not required to select a shop simply because it appears on the insurer’s list.

What should I do if my insurance estimate lists aftermarket parts?

Have the estimate reviewed by a qualified collision repair facility. Arizona Collision Center can inspect the damage, compare the estimate with the vehicle’s repair requirements, identify the proposed replacement parts, and discuss the repair options with you.

Need Help With an Insurance Collision Claim in the Phoenix Area?

If your insurance company has written an estimate using aftermarket parts—or you’re simply unsure whether the proposed repair is right for your vehicle—Arizona Collision Center can help.

Located at 215 South Industrial Drive in Tempe, Arizona, Arizona Collision Center serves drivers throughout Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and surrounding Valley communities.

Our team can review your vehicle’s damage, explain the repair process, work directly with your insurance company, and advocate for OEM parts and manufacturer-recommended repair procedures whenever appropriate.

Call Arizona Collision Center at (480) 668-3105 or request a free collision repair estimate today.