Feb. 5, 2010--The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) is asking the state’s insurance commissioner to intervene on the use of aftermarket bumper supports.
The CRA asked Steve Poizner, who heads up California’s insurance department, to require insurers to review claims where aftermarket bumper supports were used in collision repairs, and to disclose such use to affected policyholders.
The request was prompted by research by I-CAR instructor Toby Chess, who revealed in demonstrations that aftermarket bumper reinforcements lack the structural integrity to withstand collisions.
GEICO Insurance Agency has stated it would no longer use aftermarket bumper reinforcements, while some other aftermarket associations have agreed to suspend distribution of the products, according to CRA.
“We want a recall,” said Lee Amaradio, CRA president. “Some, but not all insurers, favor cheap metal substitutions that reduce repair costs, but compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. The owners of these vehicles must be informed by insurers that their vehicles were outfitted with inferior aftermarket bumper reinforcements.”
