WLOS ABC News Channel 13 recently reported on the relationship between some auto body shops and insurance companies in North Carolina. The report found that some auto body collision shops across the state have used untested and unregulated parts to fix vehicles, especially when insurance companies refer cars for work. Motorists trust recommendations from their insurance companies on auto body shops. Unfortunately in many cases, these shops are using inferior parts to pass the savings onto the insurance companies.
What is a Direct Repair Program?
Typically, repairs are done using less expensive, generic or after-market parts to cut costs and pass the savings on to the insurance companies. A potential indicator of a direct repair program is when your insurance company recommends a particular auto body shop. If the insurance company has a relationship with the shop or mechanic, you might be getting less than adequate service. Insurance companies are frequently looking out for their own bottom lines.
Savings Over Safety
Many of the after-market parts used in direct repair programs are not fully tested in the same way that original parts are. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety looked into the collision market and found many suppliers were building parts with no external guidelines or guarantees on safety. Testing showed mixed results for safety standards. If these parts can’t perform to industry safety standards, what happens in a car accident? Drivers and passengers are put at higher risk for injuries, because the structural integrity of the auto body is no longer as safe as it was originally designed to be.
Car Accidents in Asheville
Car accidents can be devastating for those who are injured and their loved ones. The last thing you need is to be unnecessarily put at risk so your insurance company can save a buck on cheaper parts and repairs. These after-market parts can impact the air bags’ ability to deploy and also how a car deconstructs during a collision. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding communities, contact the experienced team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 888-773-8388 for a free case consultation.