Yeah, “OEM equivalent” is such a gamble. I’ve had a bumper replaced with one of those and it looked fine—until you stood at the wrong angle and noticed the paint didn’t quite match. My neighbor actually fought with Geico about using real OEM parts, but unless you push hard or your car’s brand new, they usually stick to aftermarket. If you’re picky about fit and finish, you might end up paying the difference out of pocket. That’s been my experience, anyway...
I get what you mean about the paint mismatch, but I’ve actually had better luck with aftermarket parts than I expected. My last claim with Progressive, they used non-OEM for a fender and honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference unless I really squinted. Maybe it depends on the shop or the car?
I kinda worry about that stuff too, honestly. I keep hearing horror stories about aftermarket parts, but your experience makes me feel a bit better. I guess unless you’re super picky or have a rare car, it’s not always a big deal. Maybe I’m overthinking how noticeable it’d be. Paint matching still freaks me out a bit, but it’s good to know not everyone ends up with a patchwork car.
I get where you're coming from—paint matching is one of those things that can go either way. I had a bumper replaced after a minor fender bender, and honestly, unless you’re looking at it in certain light, you’d never know. As for aftermarket parts, I’m always a bit wary, but both Geico and Progressive will usually specify if they’re using OEM or aftermarket. If you’ve got a newer car or care about resale, it’s worth double-checking what their policies are. Sometimes you can push for OEM if you make enough noise, but it depends on your adjuster and the shop.
Had a similar experience with Progressive a couple years back—paint match was decent, but I could always spot it in the right light. I tried to push for OEM parts, but they weren’t having it unless I paid the difference. Not sure Geico would be any better, honestly.
