What does Arizona law say about OEM versus aftermarket parts?
Arizona administrative code requires insurance companies to disclose when they use non-OEM parts on a repair estimate. Beyond that disclosure, the law does not stop insurers from basing their payment calculations on cheaper, imitation components. However, you always have the final say on where your vehicle is repaired and what parts are used, though policy terms and state regulations vary regarding who pays the cost difference.
Why insurance companies push for aftermarket and LKQ parts
Insurance companies are looking to settle claims as cheaply as possible to protect their bottom line. They frequently write estimates using aftermarket or 'Like Kind and Quality' (LKQ) salvaged parts. These parts are often made by third-party manufacturers overseas and are not held to the same strict safety, crash-testing, and fitment standards as genuine factory parts.
- Aftermarket panels often do not fit correctly, leaving uneven gaps that damage your vehicle's resale value.
- Imitation structural parts may not crumple or absorb impact as engineered during a second collision.
- Using non-OEM parts on newer vehicles can jeopardize or void portions of your manufacturer's warranty.
- Modern safety sensors and cameras often fail to calibrate correctly when mounted behind non-OEM windshields or bumpers.
How an independent shop advocates for your OEM parts
Because Airpark Auto Collision does not participate in insurance Direct Repair Programs (DRPs), we do not have contracts forcing us to cut corners or use cheap alternative parts. We work directly for you, the vehicle owner. From our shop in North Phoenix, we serve drivers across Deer Valley, the TSMC corridor, Anthem, Cave Creek, and Scottsdale by standing up to major insurance carriers, documenting the safety necessity of OEM components, and submitting detailed supplements to get them covered.
If your insurance company is insisting on cheap imitation parts for your repair, call Airpark Auto Collision at (602) 600-7825. We will review your estimate, explain your options, and fight to ensure your vehicle is restored using safe, genuine OEM parts.
The critical role of ADAS calibration with OEM parts
Modern vehicles are highly complex machines relying on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). If a bumper, mirror, or windshield is replaced with an aftermarket alternative, the cameras and radar sensors behind them may fail to calibrate. We perform full diagnostic pre- and post-scans and precise ADAS calibrations in-house to verify that your vehicle's safety systems are operating exactly as the manufacturer intended.