"Don't accept counterfeit parts in auto collision repair," says Barry's Auto Body"
Staten Island, NY (PRWEB) March 05, 2016 -- Barry's Auto Body is warning consumers in need of auto collision repair to avoid insurance companies' Direct Repair Programs that allow the use of counterfeit or uncertified used parts when fixing vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers require the use of factory approved parts for auto collision repair. The use of counterfeit parts can void the vehicle's warranty.
Said Barry Crupi [Barry Crupi __title__ ], Owner/Operator of Barry's Auto Body, "A Google of 'insurance company direct repair program' will return websites and articles about people who were steered by insurance companies to a Direct Repair Program for auto collision repair and later found out that the repair was made using counterfeit parts, voiding the vehicle's warranty."
According to Mr. Crupi, "Direct Repair Programs (DRP's) are auto collision repair shops that have an agreement with the insurance company to reduce the cost of repair in exchange for customers being steered their way. Reducing repair costs would be a good thing if the savings were passed on to the insured. In the case of DRP's, only the insurance company benefits because they put a cap on what is paid for the work and implement a stringent time frame for the shop to complete the work. The tight timeframe can cause the auto collision repair shop to overlook damage and seek cheaper parts for the repairs that are completed. The insured pays the same premium; the shop gets paid a reduced fee from the insurance company and the insurance company keeps the savings."
New York State adopted a law to stop insurance companies from pressuring the insured into using DRP's.
Section 2610 of the New York State Insurance Law which reads as follows, "(a) Whenever a motor vehicle collision or comprehensive loss shall have been suffered by an insured, no insurer providing collision or comprehensive coverage therefore shall require that repairs be made to such vehicle in a particular place or shop or by a particular concern. 1 (b) In processing any such claim (other than a claim solely involving window glass), the insurer shall not, unless expressly requested by the insured, recommend or suggest repairs be made to such vehicle in a particular place or shop or by a particular concern."
Mr. Crupi wants consumers in need of auto collision repair to know their rights. He says, "People purchase insurance to have peace of mind that vehicle damage will be repaired properly. When insurance companies allow DRP shops to use counterfeit parts in an auto collision repair it can jeopardize vehicle performance which could impact driver safety. The law says the insured can choose which auto body shop can make the repair. If a consumer has already been steered to a DRP shop by an insurance company, a post repair inspection can determine if the repair was done correctly."
George Passariello, The Von Agency, http://www.thevonagency.com, +1 7183546032, [email protected]
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