Article  Choosing Between Aftermarket and OEM Ford Parts for Your Car Being involved in an accident that causes damage to your automobile is tough enough on the owner without having to make any more complicated decisions. Between dealing with mechanics, insurance companies, rental cars and having to cope without transport for several days, one of the last things you want to worry about will be the difference between aftermarket and OEM Ford parts. OEM parts simply mean that they are made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer and are commonly referred to as OEM for short. This means that they are the exact same parts that came on your car when it was new. However, your insurance company may encourage you to use the aftermarket replacement parts which could be made by anyone. Cost is the primary reason for the insurer’s recommendation for the aftermarket parts because the OEM ford parts may cost slightly amount more due to the inherent quality. The bottom line, however, is that you should gain an understanding of the true differences between the parts and the possible consequences of blindly following the insurers advice. The difference between OEM and aftermarket automobile replacement parts should be researched thoroughly before you even go to your mechanic or talk to your insurance company. This will allow you to make a more informed decision if either of the two parties would happen to dispute using OEM Ford parts. The key thing to remember is that original equipment manufacturer replacement parts are made by the original manufacturer specifically for the type of vehicle in which it is used. Aftermarket parts are manufactured by a company other than the original and are designed as similar as possible in fit and functionality. However, they often do not fit exactly as they should and are often not tested to the same standard. The reason why you should always choose OEM ford parts for your Ford vehicle is to meet the exact product specifications and standards of the original part as closely as possible to keep your car as it was first designed. If you wish to improve on the original performance you could do this with OEM Ford racing parts which are built to an even higher standard but still produced by Ford Look around to find out which insurance companies cover OEM and which do not. Some auto insurers might offer an option to pay an additional premium in order to cover the extra cost of using OEM parts for repairs. Normal procedures for each individual insurance company should be discussed at the time of coverage, so that you will know what to expect in case of a repair and whether or not they allow OEM or aftermarket parts to be used. Almost every insurance company will allow you to specify that you want to use OEM Ford parts for the benefit of your truck or car. You could even take your Ford vehicle to a qualified collision expert to seek their advice when you feel skeptical about the quality of the aftermarket parts. Getting a written statement from an auto shop or collision specialist could be advantageous in persuading the auto insurance company to cover the cost of the OEM parts instead of the aftermarket alternatives. Your Ford vehicle deserves the best replacement parts and accessories, so the discovery process of determining the difference between aftermarket and OEM Ford parts should not be taken lightly. Endurance and safety, as well as the appearance of your Ford, should be top priority in making the decision. Category Auto and Truck Parts Author Admin Add To Favorites Print This Article Email Article To A Friend Post Comments   Rate This Article (1) 1 - Poor2345 - Good678910 - Excellent Added On 2009-11-23