IRC Survey Finds Most American Would Use Competitive Auto Repair Parts

More than half of respondents to the Insurance Research Council’s most recent survey of a cross-section of Americans would be willing to use competitive auto repair parts if they were assured of the parts’ quality. Approval is even stronger (57 percent) for equipment that has been certified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA).

While many Americans (58 percent) would agree to use certified auto parts in exchange for insurance premium savings, a significantly larger proportion of respondents (68 percent) would be willing to use CAPA parts if their insurer would guarantee the repairs.

Similarly, most respondents would also be willing to use auto repair shops recommended by insurers, particularly if these repair shops were professionally certified and the repairs were guaranteed by insurers.

Elizabeth Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC, commented that there has been ongoing debate on the use of competitive auto repair parts versus OEM repair parts. Sprinkel added that however, if quality concerns are addressed through industry certifications and insurer guarantees, the majority of Americans would be willing to approve the use of competitive auto parts and insurer-designated repair shops.