Posted On: March 12, 2007, 2:49 pm CDT

Posted By: Gill Fin

Its not about policyholders or bodyshops -its about Ford, GM and Chrysler being able to monopolize the market. If my black loaded really nice 2003 2WD stepside pickup needs a rear bumper, do I need a new one or one from another 2003 that is in like new condition. If I was paying for it myself I would go to the wrecking yard and get an undamaged bumper and put it on, for 1/3 the cost of a new one. And that undamaged 4 year old bumper is considered a quality replacement part, and the idea of using it is constistent with my otherwise conservative mentality of reusing or recycling whenever possible. Except now my insurer can't use that bumper because the big three mandate my insurer buy from them a new, much more expensive bumper.
All in the name of protecting me the insured. Were there any plaintiffs, really? Who was damaged by using quality replacement parts? Oh, thats right, GM,
Chrysler and Ford.