Yeah, I’ve been burned by that “substitute parts” thing before—thought I was covered, then got stuck with some off-brand bumper after a fender bender. It’s wild how they bury that stuff. You’re right to dig deep and ask questions.
It’s wild how they bury that stuff.
Yeah, it’s like you need a decoder ring just to read your own policy. Did you ever try negotiating for OEM parts coverage, or did they just flat out say no? Wondering if any Delaware insurers actually make that easy...
Honestly, I’ve found that if you push a little, some companies will at least offer partial OEM coverage—though they usually make you jump through hoops. One time I had to send in three different emails just to get a straight answer. Not sure it’s ever “easy” here, but if you’re detail-oriented and willing to read the fine print (and maybe argue a bit), there are ways to get closer to what you want. Wouldn’t say it’s straightforward, though...
I get where you’re coming from about pushing for OEM coverage, but honestly, I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle for most people—especially if you’ve got a family car and just want things to be simple and reliable. I’ve gone down that rabbit hole before, and half the time, the “partial” coverage they offer is so watered down it barely matters. Plus, all that back-and-forth with customer service just eats up your time.
I’d rather pay a bit more upfront for a policy that spells everything out clearly, even if it’s not the absolute cheapest. At least then I know what I’m getting, and I’m not stuck arguing over fine print when something actually happens. Maybe I’m just risk-averse, but with kids in the car, I don’t want any surprises if we ever need repairs. Sometimes peace of mind is worth more than squeezing every last dollar out of the policy...
Honestly, you nailed it with the “peace of mind” thing. I’ve seen way too many folks get tripped up by those “partial” OEM coverages—like, you think you’re covered for a new bumper, but then it turns out you’re only covered for a bumper that’s “sorta like” the original. One guy I helped ended up with a replacement door that was technically the right color, but somehow still didn’t match. His car looked like a patchwork quilt for months.
I get the temptation to chase every little discount or loophole, but sometimes it just isn’t worth the headache. Especially if you’ve got kids and a busy schedule—who has time to argue with claims adjusters over what counts as “factory spec”? I always tell people: if reading the policy makes your eyes glaze over, it’s probably not the one for you. Sometimes boring is better when it comes to insurance... at least until you actually need it.
