Insurance Car Insurance Car Insurance Basics What Types of Car Parts Are Used in Insurance Claims? Insurance doesn’t always cover OEM parts By Michael Evans Updated on March 7, 2022 Reviewed by Marguerita Cheng Fact checked by Gina LaGuardia Fact checked by Gina LaGuardia Gina LaGuardia has more than 25 years of experience in senior editorial roles, and is an expert in personal finance topics, including banking and lending. She has created content for financial powerhouses such as Chase Bank, American Express Canada, First Horizon Bank, BBVA, and SoFi. learn about our editorial policies In This Article View All In This Article What Are Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts? Does Insurance Cover OEM Parts? How To Get OEM Parts Which Parts Do Body Shops Prefer? Should I Insist on OEM Parts? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images When you file a car insurance claim following an accident, the insurance company will give you a detailed repair estimate. Although providers must pay for covered losses, they employ different tactics to mitigate the amount of money they must pay. One way carriers diminish losses is by not covering Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. Repair shops can use a variety of parts to get your vehicle back on the road. While most car owners might prefer parts produced by the original manufacturer, many standard auto insurance policies do not cover them. However, many insurers offer optional coverages that pay for the original parts you might favor. Key Takeways You can shop for car insurance that allows you to request Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for repairs.If you have an older car or a discontinued model, OEM parts might not be available, even if your insurance covers them.If your auto insurance doesn't cover OEM parts, you can still have them used for repairs as long as you have an OEM insurance rider or endorsement, or you agree to pay for the difference in price between aftermarket and OEM parts.Insurers prefer aftermarket parts in order to keep costs down, while body shops prefer OEM parts so they can make more of a profit on repairs. What Are Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts? Automobile manufacturers produce OEM parts for their vehicles. For example, Ford Motor Company produces replacement parts through several brands, including Ford Parts, Ford Motorcraft, and Ford Accessories. Typically, OEM parts are exact replicas of the parts used when the manufacturer assembled your car, so they fit perfectly. You can also buy used and aftermarket parts. Third-party companies, not an automobile’s original manufacturer, produce aftermarket parts. These parts are easier to produce at a high volume, but oftentimes they are manufactured to fit several makes and models of vehicles, not a single automobile. Let’s say your Ford needs a new ignition switch. If you take it to the Ford dealership for repair, they will replace it with a new OEM part. But if Joe’s Garage handles the repair, they may replace the part with one manufactured by ABC Auto Parts. Does Insurance Cover OEM Parts? Insurance companies may or may not pay for OEM parts. State insurance codes vary, but some require insurers to cover OEM parts under certain circumstances. For instance, Minnesota law requires carriers to cover OEM parts, unless you agree to make repairs with aftermarket parts. However, this stipulation in Minnesota’s insurance code does not apply to vehicles you purchase used. California’s insurance code requires repair shops to identify replacement parts as new, used, OEM, non-OEM, rebuilt, or reconditioned on all repair invoices. California law also stipulates that non-OEM parts must meet several standards related to fit, performance, quality, and safety. To find out if your insurance policy will cover OEM parts, review its “Insuring Agreement” section. If your insurer will not pay for OEM parts, they may offer the option for you to pay the difference between non-OEM and OEM costs. Note Although standard car insurance policies usually do not specify OEM parts coverage, some providers offer OEM endorsements or riders. How To Get OEM Parts When you file a car insurance claim, the carrier is only responsible for restoring your vehicle to its pre-loss condition. That’s why, when allowed by law, insurers often write repair estimates that include non-OEM parts, which cost significantly less than OEM components. But there are ways to ensure that repairs are made to your vehicle using OEM parts. Know Your Rights Research your state’s insurance code to learn more about OEM parts requirements. For example, New Hampshire law requires insurance companies to pay for OEM parts for vehicles that are no more than two years old, with no more than 30,000 miles on the odometer. This law also applies to leased vehicles, when using non-OEM parts will diminish the car’s value. However, the insurance codes in some states do not dictate OEM requirements. For instance, in North Carolina, repairs can be done on your automobile with aftermarket parts without your approval, but carriers are required to identify aftermarket parts on repair estimates and repair invoices. Add an OEM Endorsement or Rider Some auto insurance companies offer OEM parts endorsements or riders, which you can add to your policy for an additional cost. If you’re shopping for car insurance, and OEM parts are important to you, look for providers that offer OEM parts coverage. Note Insurers may only offer OEM endorsements or riders for newer vehicles, typically those less than seven model years old. Pay the Difference If an insurance company isn’t required to repair your car with OEM parts, chances are it won’t. But, if you receive a repair estimate that includes non-OEM parts, you can usually pay the difference to get the OEM parts you want. Which Parts Do Body Shops Prefer? Mechanics like OEM parts because they fit perfectly without the need for any adjustments. For example, the mounting bracket for an OEM radiator would perfectly align with the mounting screw holes, just like the original part. Since OEM parts usually cost more than aftermarket parts, repair shops can make a higher profit with a higher markup. Typically, repair shops can make adequate repairs using non-OEM parts. Oftentimes, aftermarket parts perform just as well as OEM parts. However, aftermarket parts sometimes require adjustments that OEM parts don’t. For instance, the mounting bracket of an aftermarket radiator might not perfectly align with the mounting screw holes. The quality of aftermarket parts ultimately comes down to the manufacturer. Should I Insist on OEM Parts? In some cases, non-OEM parts perform just as well as OEM parts. But some car owners insist on making all repairs with OEM parts. If you typically only keep a new vehicle for a couple of years, maintaining original parts may offer a better trade-in value. Bear in mind that, one way or another, insisting on OEM parts will cost more. You often have the option to add an OEM parts endorsement to your car insurance policy, but that will increase your premium. If you don’t have an OEM parts endorsement, and your insurer will only pay for non-OEM parts, you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How Do I Tell OEM Parts From Aftermarket? If you’re buying a used automobile, ask the owner if it contains any non-OEM parts. If they’re unsure, hire a professional mechanic to inspect the car before you buy it.Non-OEM parts can differ from OEM components in many ways. For instance, the screw holes in an aftermarket fender panel may be larger and more difficult to align than an OEM panel. Or an aftermarket radiator may have fewer cooling tubes than an OEM radiator. Where Do I Buy OEM Parts? Some automobile manufacturers sell OEM parts online. If you seek repairs from a local mechanic or body shop, they may or may not have access to OEM parts. If they must order parts from the manufacturer, the repair process might take longer.Typically, new car dealerships are the best source for OEM parts. Most major dealerships also have a service department, with a parts counter. Why Are OEM Parts So Expensive? Some aftermarket parts fit more than one automobile, while OEM parts fit specific makes and models of vehicles, which can increase manufacturing costs.OEM parts are also an income stream for car manufacturers. Oftentimes, a dealer’s parts and service revenue can help balance the books when new car sales drop. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ford. “Ford Parts.” Car and Driver. “OEM Parts: Everything You Need To Know.” Minnesota Commerce Department. “Auto Insurance Guide,” Page 12. California Department of Insurance. “Auto Body Repairs and Replacement Parts.” State of New Hampshire. “Frequently Asked Questions, Statutes, and Rules Regulating Insurance Coverage for Motor Vehicle Repairs,” Page 1. North Carolina Consumers Council. “Don't Let Your Auto Insurance Company Steer You From Genuine Parts & Glass to Aftermarket.” American Family Insurance. “What Is OEM Coverage and Why Is It Important?”