OEM parts endorsements and safety sensitive repairs: what your policy pays and what to ask
How policy wording and state rules shape which parts go on your car
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation built this guide from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) research, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) air bag guidance, a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model regulation, the parts rules and consumer guidance of California, New York, Texas and Washington, federal law and I-CAR repair guidance. Every source is listed at the end.
Why part choice is now a safety question
Each line on a repair estimate holds a quiet decision about who made the part and whether it is new or used. That choice used to be mostly about looks and fit. On many newer vehicles, it can also touch the systems that help you avoid the next collision.
Many vehicles now use cameras, radar or other sensors for features like automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning. The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) compared 2017 to 2022 model year vehicles that were the same except for whether they had a package of these features [1]. Collision claims cost about 10% more on average for the equipped vehicles [1]. IIHS points to the high price of the sensors and the calibration they often need once replaced [1]. Calibration means aiming and testing a sensor so the system reads the road correctly.
The same comparison found about 10% fewer collision claims for the equipped vehicles, so total collision losses came out about 5% lower [1]. These features prevent collisions, but each repair is more involved. IIHS also notes, citing federal price data, that average repair prices have risen more than 40% since 2020 [1].
Restraint parts raise the stakes further. NHTSA says an air bag works only once, and a deployed one should be replaced promptly by an authorized repair center before the car is driven [2]. It also warns that counterfeit air bags may fail to deploy or may even throw metal shrapnel [2].
The parts language inside your auto policy
Your policy’s physical damage section explains how the insurer pays to fix your car under collision or comprehensive coverage. That section holds the words that steer part choice.
A common yardstick is the phrase “like kind and quality” in the payment terms. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that the insurer’s duty is like kind and quality, measured against the parts that were damaged [3]. The insurer is not obliged to cover original parts from the vehicle maker [3]. Washington’s insurance commissioner says an adjuster might recommend parts from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or non OEM parts. The adjuster might also choose used parts from the same year as the damaged ones [4]. If you insist on new OEM parts, you may have to pay the difference [4].
OEM parts are made by or for the company that built your vehicle. Non OEM parts, often called aftermarket parts, come from other makers. Our article on knowing which replacement parts are going on your car explains the part types. This article covers the insurance side.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Policy parts wording and what to ask
| Wording you may see | What it often signals | A question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| “Like kind and quality” | The insurer may pay for a part that is not from the vehicle maker | Which maker, and what warranty comes with it? |
| “Used” or “recycled” | A part taken from another vehicle | What year and mileage, and was it checked for damage? |
| “Reconditioned” or “rebuilt” | A used part that was repaired before resale | Does the vehicle maker allow that for this part? |
| “OEM” in an endorsement | New parts from the vehicle maker, within set limits | Which parts and which vehicles qualify? |
Deductions for “betterment,” meaning an upgrade beyond the car’s condition before the accident, are covered in a separate article in this series.
What an OEM parts endorsement can and cannot change
An endorsement is a written add on that changes what a policy covers, either adding coverage or removing it [5]. Some insurers offer an optional endorsement that raises the part standard for covered repairs to new OEM parts. Its name, price and wording vary by company and by state. The only reliable guide is the form itself.
Read the form line by line, looking for limits. It may apply only while a vehicle is under a certain age or mileage. It may cover only some part groups and treat glass and sensors differently. It may also say what happens when an OEM part is back ordered. And because it is part of your contract with your own insurer, do not assume it controls what another driver’s insurer pays.
State rules on non OEM parts: four examples
There is no single national rule for parts in insurance repairs. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) publishes a model claims regulation that states may use as a template [6]. Its section on replacement crash parts says an insurer may not require them unless they are at least equal to the original part in kind, quality, fit and performance [6]. It also calls for newer crash parts to carry permanent marks that identify their maker [6]. The model defines crash parts as the sheet metal or plastic parts that generally form the outside of the vehicle [6].
States have built on that idea in different ways. These four examples were checked against official sources as of October 2026.
California
California’s claims rules bar an insurer from requiring non OEM crash parts unless several conditions are met [7]. The parts must be at least equal to OEM parts in kind, quality, safety, fit and performance [7]. The insurer must pay for any changes needed to make the part work [7]. It must also state in writing, on its estimate, that it warrants the parts meet that standard [7]. If a part falls short, the insurer must pay to remove it and replace it with a compliant part or an OEM part [7].
The state’s consumer guide says repair invoices must identify each part as used, reconditioned, rebuilt, aftermarket or OEM [8]. California’s auto body repair bill of rights says those labels belong on the estimate as well as the invoice [9].
New York
New York’s Regulation 64 sets standards for vehicle damage claims [10]. When an insurer’s estimate uses non OEM crash parts, it must name the supplier [10]. The parts must equal or exceed the OEM part in fit, form, finish, quality and performance [10]. They must come with a written warranty at least as broad as the OEM part’s [10]. If the parts maker does not honor that warranty, the insurer must restore the vehicle at no added cost to you within a reasonable time [10]. Without your consent, the insurer cannot specify non OEM crash parts from more than three suppliers for one repair [10].
Texas
The Texas Department of Insurance tells drivers that insurers must pay for parts of like kind and quality, not necessarily original parts from the vehicle maker [3]. Texas drivers who want OEM parts should look for that promise in their own policy or endorsement.
Washington
Washington’s insurance commissioner advises talking with the adjuster about which parts will be used [4]. If you demand new OEM parts, you may owe the difference [4].
The pattern behind the examples
These rules mostly set quality, warranty and labeling standards. They do not ban non OEM parts. They also center on outer body parts. New York’s definition of a crash part, for example, lists doors, fenders, bumpers and hoods but leaves out windows [10]. Sensors, cameras, windshields and air bags may fall outside these specific disclosure rules, so ask about them directly.
Sensors, cameras and calibration: where parts meet procedure
Driver assistance sensors must sit and aim exactly as the vehicle maker designed. Some sit on or behind parts that are often replaced, including the windshield. Removing the glass or replacing a camera can trigger a calibration requirement [13].
I-CAR, the collision repair industry’s training group, says repair decisions should start with the vehicle maker’s repair information [12]. Its process calls for documenting calibration needs when damage is near a sensor’s mounting spot, or when nearby parts must be removed and reinstalled [12]. Some systems must be driven under set conditions to finish calibrating [12].
Part choice and procedure work together. A part that holds or covers a sensor needs to fit as designed, because the sensor’s aim depends on it. A careful estimator checks the vehicle maker’s procedure for limits on parts near sensors before agreeing to a substitute. Any required scan or calibration should show up on the estimate.
Federal law adds a backstop. A motor vehicle repair business may not knowingly make inoperative any device or design element installed to meet a federal motor vehicle safety standard [14]. The narrow exception is when the business reasonably believes the vehicle will not be used while the device is not working, such as during the repair itself [14]. Our article on why cameras and sensors need checks after crash repairs explains how to confirm calibration was done.
Air bags and restraint parts deserve their own questions
Air bags show most clearly why a part’s source matters. NHTSA reports that 11 people died and three were badly hurt in 14 collisions involving vehicles with replaced air bags [15]. The replacement inflators were likely imported into the United States illegally [15]. They were generally installed after an earlier accident set off the original air bag, or after it was stolen [15].
NHTSA advises having air bag work done by a dealership for the vehicle maker or a reputable independent repair shop [15]. Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation gives drivers the same advice. NHTSA also warns owners not to inspect air bag parts themselves, because tampering could set off the air bag [15]. In New York, the regulator notes that a deployed or stolen air bag must be replaced as part of a damage claim [11].
A cheaper restraint part from an unknown source is never a real savings. Ask where each air bag, seat belt part and impact sensor will come from. Our article on air bag and seat belt checks before you drive again covers the full restraint inspection.
How to read the parts lines on your estimate
You do not need to be an estimator to spot the lines that matter most. A printed estimate and a highlighter are enough.
- Find the part type label on each line, such as OEM, aftermarket, used, reconditioned or rebuilt.
- Mark every part that holds, covers or sits near a sensor, camera or restraint.
- Where your state requires it, look for the supplier’s name and the insurer’s written warranty statement [7, 10].
- Look for scan and calibration lines tied to the parts you marked.
- Compare the part types to your policy’s wording and any OEM parts endorsement.
- Ask the shop for the vehicle maker’s procedure for each marked part.
- Get any agreed change in writing before work starts.
- At pickup, compare the final invoice with the approved estimate, line by line.
For a full walk through, see our guide to reading your first collision repair estimate.
When the shop and the insurer disagree about a part
Start by asking the shop to show you, in writing, why it objects to a part. The strongest reason is a vehicle maker’s repair procedure or position on that part. Then ask the insurer to explain its choice in writing, including the part’s maker and warranty.
Your state’s rules may give you specific remedies. In California, an insurer must pay to swap out a non OEM part that does not meet the required standard [7]. In New York, the insurer must restore the vehicle at no added cost if the parts maker does not honor its warranty [10].
If talks stall, your state insurance department takes consumer complaints. Our article on what to do when your repair shop and insurer don’t agree covers the dispute steps in more depth.
Is an OEM parts endorsement worth it for your household?
An endorsement is a trade: a known cost now for a stronger promise later. Whether it makes sense depends on your vehicle, your budget and how much you value certainty about parts.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
When an OEM parts endorsement may matter
| Your situation | Why the endorsement may matter | What else to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Newer vehicle with many driver assistance features | More of the repair may involve parts near sensors | Calibration is needed no matter who made the part |
| Leased or financed vehicle | Your contract may set repair terms | Read the lease or loan agreement too |
| Older vehicle | The form may stop applying past an age limit | Compare the yearly cost with the likely benefit |
| Tight household budget | Paying a price difference after an accident can be hard | Ask for the price before renewal, not after a claim |
Keep the bigger goal in view: a car that protects everyone who rides in it, including children. A sound repair needs the right part, the vehicle maker’s procedure and a confirmed calibration. An endorsement can help with the first. Your questions help secure the other two.
Frequently asked questions
Is an aftermarket part always less safe than an OEM part?
Not always. A well made non OEM part may do the same job as a cosmetic body part. The concern is greatest for parts that hold or cover sensors and for restraint parts. California requires non OEM crash parts to be at least equal to OEM parts in kind, quality, safety, fit and performance [7]. For any part near a sensor, ask the shop to check the vehicle maker’s procedure before you agree.
Can my insurer require non OEM parts on my car?
That depends on your policy and your state. Many policies promise parts of like kind and quality, which can include non OEM or used parts [3, 4]. Some states set conditions. California allows it only when the parts meet set standards and the insurer warrants them in writing [7]. New York requires the supplier to be named and a written warranty [10]. Check your policy and your state insurance department.
Does my OEM parts endorsement apply if another driver caused the accident?
Your endorsement is part of your contract with your own insurer. The at fault driver’s insurer did not sign that contract, so do not assume it applies to a claim against that driver. If you file under your own collision coverage, the endorsement may apply. Ask your insurer in writing how it works in each case before you decide where to file.
Who pays for calibration after a part is replaced?
Calibration is part of the repair when the vehicle maker’s procedure calls for it, so it should appear on the estimate. I-CAR’s repair process calls for documenting calibration needs when damage or part removal is near a sensor [12]. If calibration is missing, ask the shop and the insurer why, and get the answer in writing. Keep the calibration report with your repair records.
Should I accept a used air bag to save money?
Treat air bags as a safety part first and a cost item second. NHTSA links replaced air bags with illegally imported inflators to 11 deaths [15]. It advises having this work done by the vehicle maker’s dealership or a reputable independent shop [15]. Ask where each restraint part comes from. If the answer is unclear, pause the repair until it is.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation urges drivers to make sure every repair gets the right part, the vehicle maker’s procedure and a confirmed calibration. Part choice after a collision is shaped by your policy’s wording, any OEM parts endorsement, and your state’s rules. Many policies promise parts of like kind and quality. An endorsement can raise that promise within limits. States such as California and New York add quality, warranty and labeling standards for outer body parts.
Safety depends on more than the label on a part. Sensors need the vehicle maker’s procedure and a confirmed calibration. Air bags need a trustworthy source. Read your policy now, mark the safety related lines on any estimate, and get every key answer in writing.
Related articles
- Knowing which replacement parts are going on your car
- Why cameras and sensors need checks after crash repairs
- Air bags and seat belts need checks before you drive again
- Reading your first collision repair estimate line by line
- What to do when your repair shop and insurer don’t agree
- Windshield glass coverage and camera calibration: what your claim should include
Sources and further reading
- 1Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute. How crash avoidance tech simultaneously raises and slashes repair costs. Published August 11, 2026. Data year: 2017-22 model year vehicles; repair price change since 2020. iihs.org/…/how-crash-avoidance-tech-simultaneousl…
- 2National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Air Bags. Accessed October 2026 (no date shown). nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/air-bags
- 3Texas Department of Insurance. Auto insurance guide. Updated December 11, 2025. tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html
- 4Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Filing an auto insurance claim. Accessed October 2026 (no date shown). insurance.wa.gov/…/filing-auto-insurance-claim
- 5California Department of Insurance. Automobile Insurance Terms. Revised July 2011. insurance.ca.gov/…/autoterms.cfm
- 6National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Unfair Property/Casualty Claims Settlement Practices Model Regulation (Model 902), Section 8.J, Replacement Crash Parts. Adopted 1990, amended 1991 (July 1997 compilation). content.naic.org/…/model-law-902.pdf
- 7California Code of Regulations. 10 CCR 2695.8, Additional Standards Applicable to Automobile Insurance, subsection (g) (via Cornell Legal Information Institute). Last amended July 14, 2021. law.cornell.edu/…/10-CCR-2695.8
- 8California Department of Insurance. So You’ve Had an Accident, What’s Next? Revised December 2024. insurance.ca.gov/…/hadaccident.cfm
- 9California Department of Insurance. Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights. Accessed October 2026 (no date shown). insurance.ca.gov/…/AutoRepairConsumerBillofRights_Final-3…
- 10New York Codes, Rules and Regulations. 11 NYCRR 216.7, Standards for prompt, fair and equitable settlement of motor vehicle physical damage claims (Regulation 64, via Cornell Legal Information Institute). Accessed October 2026. law.cornell.edu/…/11-NYCRR-216.7
- 11New York State Department of Financial Services. Auto Insurance Information for Consumers. Accessed October 2026 (no date shown). dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance
- 12I-CAR Repairability Technical Support. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Collision Repair Diagnostics Process. Posted January 10, 2017; validated 2025. rts.i-car.com/crn-642.html
- 13I-CAR Repairability Technical Support. Calibration After Windshield Replacement. Posted March 14, 2018. rts.i-car.com/crn-801.html
- 14U.S. Code. 49 U.S.C. 30122, Making safety devices and elements inoperative, subsection (b) (via Cornell Legal Information Institute). Accessed October 2026. law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/30122
- 15National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Deadly Air Bag Replacements: What to Know. Updated September 3, 2026. Data year: deaths and injuries reported as of September 2026. nhtsa.gov/air-bags/deadly-air-bag-replacements
This article reflects the safety priorities of sound collision repairs and working safety systems after a collision. It is general education, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Parts rules and policy terms vary by state and change, so verify them with official sources. For your own situation, read your policy and endorsements, talk with your insurer and repair shop, and contact your state insurance department with questions or complaints. Reviewed October 2026.
Cite this article: Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation. “OEM parts endorsements and safety sensitive repairs: what your policy pays and what to ask.” drivewithcare.org, https://drivewithcare.org/oem-parts-endorsement-safety-sensitive-repairs/. Reviewed October 2026.
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