Insurance companies have some interesting tactics when it comes to saving money. In the case of original manufacturer parts, they’ve come up with their own terms and names to make it look like you’re getting the best, when that is seldom the case. Keep reading for some information on what these insurance companies are saying.

OEE
The new term OEE is meant to befuddle consumers by making it similar to the initialism OEM. However, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, whereas OEE stands for Original Equipment Equivalent. As we know, so-called “equivalent” parts are not up to the standards of the original manufacturer and thus should not be used in your vehicle.

Dealer Glass
Insurance companies like to use the term ‘dealer glass’ to make it seem like you’re getting OEM parts, because people assume the dealer gets their glass straight from the car manufacturer. This is seldom the case, especially with dealers who are listed with that insurance company as “trusted providers” or “preferred shops.” Unless they specifically say they’ll be using OEM parts, these dealers are still using aftermarket parts.

Aftermarket Glass
The term we’re used to hearing, aftermarket glass is the thinner, cheaper alternative to OEM glass. They do not have contractual access to the safety standards or manufacturing specifications for your vehicle’s glass, so they make something that they deem to be equivalent. However, consider this – a lawyer for the Florida suit against dozens of insurance companies stated the following:

“In a rollover crash, the windshield works to keep the vehicle roof from collapsing. Aftermarket glass is thinner than OEM glass, and is not designed to fit a particular vehicle. As with other aftermarket parts, replacement glass is not subject to crash testing requirements, thinner glass may shatter rather than providing protection in a rollover or may simply pop out altogether.”

The lesson here is this: only accept OEM glass. So-called “equivalent” parts are not the same.

Vern’s Collision and Glass was recently featured in the GM Repair Insights magazine about our commitment to keeping our customers safe in their vehicles. Read the original article here or continue reading below.

Michigan Independent Body Shop Prevails with Firm Stance on Quality Repairs, OE Parts

As the owner of Vern’s Collision & Glass, Mike Herriman doesn’t try to serve a lot of masters. Among independent body shops in Flint, Mich., he prides himself on being a true free agent, answerable to just one entity: the customer.

Competitors, insurance companies and parts suppliers may vie for influence, but Herriman stays focused. The only thing that matters to him is what’s best for the vehicle owner. With 42 years in business, you could say it is a time-tested recipe for success.

“I don’t claim to be an expert on aftermarket parts, but I’ve tested a lot of them over the years and all have failed to meet the criteria of ‘same like and kind quality’,” he says. “If I were to use them, I feel I’d be guilty of failing to act in the best interest of my customer.” -Mike Herriman, Vern’s Collision & Glass

“When you’re handed the keys you assume an obligation to do whatever you can to return that vehicle to a safe, pre-accident condition,” he says. “Morally and legally, we’re obligated to act in good faith on the customer’s behalf.”

One of the surest ways he’s found to do that is to have a laser-like focus on OE parts. He proudly advertises that he uses “original manufacturer’s parts.” It’s an ironclad stance that allows him to consistently perform quality repairs.

Herriman frames the OE vs. non-OE debate as a clear choice between what’s certain to work and what probably won’t work. And he defines “work” not just as fitting, but performing as part of the vehicle safety system.

Unlike non-OE replacement parts, OE parts are verified to perform, he points out. They match exact specifications of parts designed and tested by the vehicle manufacturer. And that’s a critical difference because all body components contribute to a vehicle’s structural integrity, which design engineers strive to maintain. It follows that the only certain way to ensure that the vehicle will perform properly in a future collision is to install OE parts and follow manufacturer-recommended procedures.

“Everything we do in this industry should first be focused on safety,” Herriman argues. “People buy a vehicle to get them from point A to point B without getting hurt. We don’t want to be installing any part that could possibly alter the vehicle’s crash resistance capabilities or its ability to protect passengers.”

Herriman concedes it’s getting harder for Independent Body Shops (IBSs) to insist on OE parts. Usage of non-OE parts grows as more direct repair shops are rewarded by insurance companies for using non-OEM parts. But the vehicle owner is the big loser. In his estimation, they get a patched-up vehicle, not one restored to a structurally sound and safe condition. And if trouble ensues, they’re left holding the bag.

IBS’s concerned about better protecting their customers’ interests should revisit their mission and protocols, Herriman advises.

If you ever wondered what would happen if your airbag were a fraction of a second too late in deploying, please have a look at this video.

This post originally appeared on the Medine Collision Blog on April 23, 2015.

Insurance companies, though they are not supposed to, have numerous tactics to convince motorists that they need to utilize the services of a collision center with which they have an agreement, or a direct repair shop. After an accident, you are under no obligation to take your vehicle to the shop of their choosing. In order to help you stay in control, we have a list of the top 5 insurance company steering tactics so you can know what to expect when trying to decide where to have your car repaired.

Your convenience – After an accident, your world is in a panic. Once you know that everyone is ok, your mind moves to your busy schedule. You may ask yourself, “How am I going to get where I need to go while my car is being repaired?” This is where your insurance company can make it seem like they are doing you a huge favor. “Just leave everything to us,” they may say. You might hear something like, “if you go to XYZ body shop, we can get your car inspected and get you in a rental immediately.” This is often contrasted with the hindrance and ordeal of opting for the repair center of your choosing. When you tell your insurance representative that you have selected a body shop, they may counter with the possibility of a delay in getting your car inspected or in getting you into a rental.

Out of pocket expense – Another tactic to steer their clients to Direct Repair shops is the threat that if they don’t use them, there is the possibility that the variance in price quotes won’t be covered. For example, the price of a replacement part may be $1000, but the insurance company knows that they can get it for $800 at a direct repair shop, so they may tell the customer that they’ll cover the $800, but the remaining $200 would have to come out of their pocket.

Refusal of certain services – Worse than suggesting the customer would be responsible for any difference in price, there have been occasions where the insurance company has told customers that for various reasons they won’t cover a certain aspect of the repair. They will say, “we can cover X and Y, but not Z.” That is followed by, “but if you were to take your car to a shop we have approved to handle that type of repair…”

Voided warranty – Another threat the insurance company may attempt is to not offer, or void a warranty on a repair unless the customer uses their approved direct repair shop. This threat is outright bogus and should be ignored from the start. The insurance company doesn’t warranty anything. The shop does! In spite of that fact, this is often a deciding factor in choosing a repair shop as the threat of potentially being “on the hook” for future repairs can weight a decision.

They practice how they play – the insurance companies have the same line over and over again. As their representatives continually stick to the same script, their pitch gets more and more rehearsed. The more rehearsed, the more the customer will hear it as if everything they are saying is a matter of routine, not to be questioned, and is on the up and up.

Of course, all steering tactics are illegal. If your insurance company is trying to steer you to a particular body shop, you need to know your rights and call the shop that makes you feel comfortable. Your insurance company must allow you to take your vehicle to the shop of your choice and still pay for the repair as dictated by your policy.  If you choose a shop outside of their direct repair network, you will not be sacrificing the any facet of service. In reality, you will be gaining as you will be the customer as opposed to the insurance company being the customer.

Your vehicle’s windshield can make up anywhere from 45% to 60% of your vehicle’s cabin strength in an accident. In fact, this was a hot topic at 2014’s Independence Day Conference and Spring Auto Glass Show, in Las Vegas. Ralph Nader gave a compelling presentation regarding the difference that high quality auto glass can make. The right auto glass provides protection for up to 3 consecutive rollovers in a vehicle, as the windshield glass should be able to sustain 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight. Cheap or poorly made auto glass will become crushed in 1 rollover, and usually the roof crushes in with the vehicle. You may be thinking, “That would never happen to me!” And you could be right. Vehicle rollovers account for only 3% of accidents… Yet rollover accidents still account for more than 30% of all vehicle related fatalities! Simply put, your auto glass is not something you should take (or replace) lightly. At Vern’s Collision and Glass, we promote saving money, but not at the risk of your own safety. This is why we advocate OEM glass; and all OEM repair parts for your vehicle.

That’s one of the reasons why we want to take a few moment and tell you about the 3 types of glass that an installer can select from, when replacing your windshield:

The first is known as “Dealer Glass.” Dealer glass is auto glass you purchase from your vehicle dealer. It’s authorized by the vehicle manufacturer to service your car. This is actually the same glass as what you’d get from an OEM distributor. The difference is it has the vehicle’s make stamped on it. It’s also much more expensive because of the name brand. To note: Some dealers may only provide “aftermarket glass” so do not instantly assume the dealer you choose uses “Dealer Glass” or “OEM Glass.”

Next we have “OEM Glass.” OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM glass is made to the same specifications as dealer glass. The difference is that it’s not necessarily made by the same distributor. It will be the same shape, size, thickness, durability and color as what your major vehicle brand makes on the original vehicle. The reason OEM glass exists, is because vehicle companies change auto glass contracts every year. The company that made the glass for your older vehicle is not likely to be the same company that makes the glass for your vehicle today. However, this is usually both the safest and most affordable auto glass option.

And lastly, there’s “Aftermarket or OEE Glass.” Aftermarket glass is created by independent companies that do not have a direct contract with car manufacturers, and therefore cannot legally create glass with the same specifications as OEM glass. (A good example of OEE glass, is the glass manufactured and used by Safelite.) Usually the glass is thicker, and in many cases dealerships won’t let you return a leased vehicle with OEE glass, simply because the difference in quality is too great. This may be significantly cheaper glass, but it’s usually not your best choice.

The quality of your auto glass, determines the safety of your vehicle. Vern’s Collision and Glass understands you work hard for your money and that your car is an important staple in your life.