If you have been involved in a collision and you are an owner of a luxury vehicle brand, it is important to know the answer to the question, “Will insurance cover OEM parts?” If you are the owner of a brand like BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche, the answer to that question matters even more than it would for the average vehicle owner. The engineering behind a luxury brand, advanced materials, and the complex technology make the decision between aftermarket parts and Original Equipment Manufacturer a very delicate one.
Original Equipment Manufacturers are exactly what the name says, parts made by the original manufacturer. The damaged parts during your collision will be identical to the parts that your car was built with by the manufacturer. For luxury vehicles, this level of consistency is critical. On a standard vehicle, the difference is minimal. Using aftermarket parts on a luxury vehicle can cause difficulties ranging from parts not aligning, electrical failures, to safety system malfunctions.
The short answer is no. Most auto insurance companies cover parts of like quality and kind, which often refers to aftermarket, or even refurbished parts. Since OEM parts are typically more expensive, this approach is used to manage premium costs.
With luxury vehicles, this standard procedure changes slightly. Insurance companies handle luxury brands more delicately. Cheaper is not always best when considering structural integrity or safety systems.
There are situations where an insurance company is more likely to approve original parts for luxury vehicle brands.
1 New Vehicles
If your luxury vehicle is less than two years old, insurance companies are more likely to approve OEM parts. Keeping the vehicle as close to factory condition will help the vehicle maintain its value.
2 OEM Insurance Coverage Endorsements
When you purchase a luxury vehicle brand, your auto insurance provider may offer an endorsement that provides OEM parts coverage. If you have purchased this endorsement, your OEM parts will be covered.
3 Technology and Safety Requirements
Most luxury vehicle brands have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as radar units, cameras, and sensors. The sensitivity of these systems requires precision calibration and exact match fittings. Aftermarket parts could potentially interfere with these vehicle systems, causing further damage. Due to the nature of these vehicle parts, insurance companies are very likely to approve the OEM parts coverage.
4 Repair Center Justification
A certified collision repair center like Metropolitan Collision, with manufacturer-specific certifications like BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche, insists on OEM parts. Our certified collision repair technicians are able to provide accurate documentation to justify why original parts will compromise the integrity of the repair. Most auto insurers will agree with this assessment.
Why OEM Parts Are More Important for Luxury Vehicles
Luxury vehicle brands are complex. Settling for aftermarket parts can result in noticeable deviations like:
For example, the front bumper on a Porsche houses several different safety system components and sensors. An aftermarket front bumper that has even the slightest misalignment could affect how those safety sensors function. That malfunction could be catastrophic during a future front-end collision. The replacement of the front bumper is not just a preferred repair; it is a necessity.
When you choose to purchase a luxury vehicle, you expect a certain level of care when your vehicle needs to be repaired. Choosing a manufacturer-certified collision repair center like Metropolitan Collision provides the peace of mind that your vehicle is in the hands of trusted experts. To maintain our certification, we must follow the strict collision repair guidelines established by manufacturers like Porsche, Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, and many others. This standard often requires the use of original parts during the collision repair process.
If your insurance company declines OEM coverage, you still have options:
If, after the review by an insurance carrier, many luxury vehicle owners pay the difference between the aftermarket price and the original manufacturer part price. This will improve vehicle safety, performance, and resale values.
Most luxury brands maintain their resale value quite well. Pre-owned luxury vehicle buyers are more meticulous when reviewing collision repair records. Using non-OEM parts could spark concern about the vehicle’s integrity, resulting in a lower vehicle value.
Since not all insurance companies automatically cover OEM parts for luxury vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche, you need an advocate to work in your favor if you need luxury vehicle collision repair. Metropolitan Collision is a certified luxury vehicle repair center that will provide the documentation to defend the case to install original equipment manufacturer parts. We will help you provide the strongest case possible to protect your vehicle’s integrity for safety, structural integrity, and high-performance capacities.
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