Wake County Family Fights Insurance over $10K in car repair costs following Jeep Accident. Dylan Hollander was surprised to find himself in a battle over the repair costs of his Jeep Wrangler 2024 after he had been involved in a car accident.
After a car accident, a Wake County family discovered their Insurance did not cover everything they thought.
Dylan Hollander finally got the Jeep Wrangler he wanted after saving and waiting. After only a year, he was in a car accident.
Hollander, who works at 5 On Your Side, said: “I was driving home during my lunch hour, and someone pulled in front of my car.”
It didn’t seem like much at first—just a bent bumper with an insurance estimate of $590.
This estimate was way off.
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Hollander said that when they took apart the car, the damage was over $10,000.
Farmer’s Insurance was the other driver’s policy. Hollander, his mother Anita, and the other driver thought Farmers Insurance would cover this $10,000 bill because it was their fault.
Farmers replied that they would only pay for the aftermarket. Anita Hollander replied, “Here’s the $5,500.”
Farmers Insurance wanted aftermarket parts to repair the vehicle.
Aftermarket parts are often referred to as “generic,” “off-brand,” or “generic.” These parts are not manufactured by the same company as the original car parts. They are cheaper, but the manufacturer’s warranty may be voided.
Hollander was looking for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, which are similar to name brands. These are also more expensive but are exact replacements.
The estimates of the repair shop and insurance company are so different.
Anita Hollander explained that the insurance company repeatedly said, “Unless you can prove that the aftermarket part doesn’t have the same quality as the factory part, we will use it aftermarket.” It shouldn’t be left up to the customer to determine this. What do I know about car parts?
In North Carolina, it’s common for insurers to cover only repairs using aftermarket parts.
However, Hollander’s mechanic said only the original parts can be substituted.
OEMs test their parts themselves. “Most aftermarket parts are never tested,” Neal Nuce, Precision Collision Repair Wake Forest. “For any structural part, factory parts are the best.”
What are your options if you find yourself in a similar situation?
Each manufacturer has a different warranty, so check it before deciding what parts to replace after an accident.
Speak to your agent about the quality and availability of aftermarket parts.
You can pay yourself for the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts.
Hollander’s method of pushing back is also an option.
The insurance company will fight against you. “They will try to make it difficult for you to win your case and correct the situation, but keep going,” Dylan Hollander stated.
Dylan Hollander closed the OEM repair estimate gap compared to what his insurance company would pay. However, he had to pay $1,400 of the cost out-of-pocket.
After the repairs, he said the Jeep was new.
He said, “I am so happy to have it back.”
WRAL 5 On Your Side contacted Farmers Insurance regarding their dispute with Hollander. The insurance company said, “We paid all benefits due to Mr. Hollander about his claim.”
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