New research has revealed that many car insurance companies repair customers’ vehicles with recycled parts.
Thousands of motorists could be driving around in a car that has unknowingly been fixed using recycled parts, according to new research.
A study from comparison website Gocompare.com has revealed that some car insurance companies are giving the go ahead for garages to use non-manufacturer or even reconditioned parts when repairing their customers’ vehicles.
In a survey of 238 comprehensive car insurance policies, the website discovered that just 15 per cent of firms guarantee that only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts will be used when repairing policyholders’ vehicles after being involved in an accident.
The vast majority (75 per cent) of these policies do not provide this guarantee to customers, meaning it is very likely that non-OEM parts will be used to fix their cars.
According to Gocompare.com, not providing policyholders with this type of promise is a way to keep repair costs low. The research also discovered other cost-cutting methods, with nearly a quarter (23 per cent) using reconditioned or recycled parts, which are typically salvaged from other cars.
Matt Oliver, car insurance spokesperson at Gocompare.com, said: “It’s surprising to see such a large number of insurers using non-standard or recycled parts in vehicle repairs, and some consumers may feel short-changed that their insurance premiums aren’t necessarily buying them what they might expect.
“Over one in ten (13 per cent) policies won’t provide a guarantee for repairs, with less than two fifths (37 per cent) guaranteeing repairs for five or more years. As such it’s well worth checking what cover your insurer will provide, especially if parts for your car are particularly expensive.
He added that customers should have a right to receive the best possible service and warned motorists to check what assurances can be made by car insurance companies in the event of an accident, especially if they have reservations about having their vehicles fixed using recycled or non-OEM manufactured parts.
Posted by Emma George