Let’s investigate the differences between auto glass window replacement with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and Aftermarket auto glass and see if there really is a difference or if it’s just a myth! Still want the OEM glass installed in your car? Read on to learn the strategies that can be used to motivate an insurance company adjuster to approve using an OEM auto glass for your window replacement insurance claim.
OEM Auto Glass – Original Equipment Manufacturer
Vehicle manufacturers bid out their OEM window glass contracts for their vehicles. The auto glass manufacturer that wins the contract will have the exact specifications to produce the OEM auto glass window for that vehicle. They are given the license to stamp the vehicle manufacturers name and logo on the windshield. There may be multiple auto glass manufacturers working on different windows for a vehicle model. At the end of the day, they are also the same auto glass manufacturers that produce aftermarket auto glass for windshield replacements.
Vehicle manufacturers restrict OEM window glass production and sell the OEM auto window replacement glass through their partner car dealers to help them generate additional revenue. In addition, the vehicle VIN number which usually specifies the configuration of the car, can only be decoded at the dealer for window components like rain sensor, antenna… This also helps drive customers to the dealers for window replacements.
Aftermarket Glass Known As OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent)
These are the same auto glass manufacturers that compete for the OEM auto glass contracts, except for the OEM auto glass contracts they do not win, they reverse engineer the OEM car glass and produce aftermarket auto glass windows. These auto glass manufacturers invest millions of dollars in research and development, use the same resources, and experts that produce their OEM auto glass for contracts to build their OEE aftermarket auto glass windows.
Overall, it comes down to the fact that whether you get an OEM or Aftermarket piece of glass, the quality will meet government standards. What we found in our research which we believe is important is that the many of Aftermarket auto glass manufacturers go beyond the government standards to get ISO-9001 certification and complete other self-imposed quality testing.
TIP: So in general, you could say the only difference between the OEM and Aftermarket glass is who made the glass and does the windshield have a stamp with the auto manufacturer’s name and logo.
OEM And Aftermarket Glass Myths In The Marketplace.
It is true that there may be some quality differences in auto glass window replacement products, but with today’s technology and millions of dollars invested in creating the aftermarket auto glass templates, it would be hard to see the difference except for the company’s name or logo stamp on the window. From a safety perspective, all auto glass window manufacturers have to pass government standards, and in addition, as you read above, they may actually be the OEM auto glass window manufacturer for the same vehicle, but on a different model of car or window of the car. This is one of the reasons we always recommend working with a reputable auto glass repair shop to ensure you are getting an auto glass windshield replacement that meets, and in most cases, beats NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and DOT (Department Of Transportation) standards.
Who Are The Glass Manufacturers?
There are only a limited number of glass companies servicing the US, and all auto glass repair shops go to one of their warehouses to get their auto glass window replacements. At any one point in time, these companies may be the OEM glass manufacturer for multiple vehicle models. In addition, the other companies will purchase and warehouse OEM glass from dealer on popular models like an F150 or Mustang so they have them in stock.
Here are the top companies:
- Carlite
- Fuyao
- Mygrant Glass
- PGW – Pittsburgh Glass Works
- Pilkington
- Safelite Glass
Insurance Companies OEM Versus Aftermarket Auto Glass Windshield Replacement Insurance Claims?
Auto Insurance policy language normally states that they will provide “Like Kind & Quality Replacement Parts” which includes auto glass. That means aftermarket auto glass, NOT OEM auto glass with the manufacturer name and logo stamp on the replacement window.
TIP: If your vehicle is less than two years old, many insurance companies will authorize an OEM windshield replacement.
What If Your Insurance Adjuster Is Telling You They Will Not Pay For OEM Glass?
The standard and legal answer is you can get the OEM windshield installed, but you will be responsible for the price difference.
When Will The Insurance Adjuster Approve OEM Glass?
Some insurance companies have a no exception rule while others do. This is something you should consider when you are considering one auto insurance company over another if an OEM auto glass window replacement is important to you.
TIP: If you have an agent with a Tier One company like Farmers, State Farm, Allstate… now is the time for them to share their experiences on what has worked for their clients in the past. If they push you off to claims and do not want to help you, time to shop!
Here is the number one rule when working with any insurance adjuster on any kind of claim:
- Always treat your adjustor like your best friend! It you get upset at them and make their life difficult, why would they go the extra mile for you? Would you? Here is a great video on the concept – Winning Your Insurance Claim.
Here Are Some Situations (Secrets) Where OEM Glass May Be Approved:
- The only glass available in the marketplace for the window replacement install appointment is an OEM dealer auto glass sitting in their warehouse.
- On higher end cars where there is not enough demand for the auto glass manufacturers to in invest in building Aftermarket glass.
- With some tier one companies, adjusters understand that clients who can afford higher end cars most likely have a lot of policies, and if the client has longevity with the insurance company, they may make the call to approve the OEM glass if the client or agent requests it.
- Get to know your agent, and they may be able to do some magic for you.
- Check if your auto insurance policy has an OEM endorsement.
New OEM Endorsements Announced By Farmers Insurance
In 2015, Farmers Insurance announced an OEM endorsement, which states that in the event of a loss, instead of “Like Kind and Quality Replacement Parts”, the repair will be done with OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. So if you have the endorsement on your auto policy, you can get the auto glass window replacement with the name and logo stamp. Disclaimer: Endorsement may not be available in every state, so check with your agent.
TIP: Remember, auto policies use the language “Like Kind & Quality Replacement Parts”, so if you have a specialized car that came from the manufacturer and want to ensure OEM parts are used in addition to auto glass, this is a great coverage to add to your policy.
WARNING: OEM Endorsements are new and many claims representatives may not be used to seeing the coverage on a policy, because it will not be that common of a coverage, because not everyone will want it. In addition, insurance companies may use third party services to verify glass coverage, and they may not see that you have the OEM endorsement on your auto insurance policy, and they will not authorization to the glass shop to use an OEM windshield. The glass shop will tell you that you will have to pay the difference. No in the case of an unethical glass shop, they may tell you that you do not have the coverage when in fact you do, and they may try to charge you the difference in cost. If you have any doubt, always talk to your agent first, especially if you have an expensive car. This will be even more important as ADAS safety features become common in newer cars.
In my opinoin if a customer wants oem the insurance company should pay for it. There is a definite difference vs aftermarket even if you buy an aftermarket glass made by the same maker as the oem…as an auto glass installer i can tell you they are not OE Equivalent and that wording should only be used for true OEM equivalents in every way but the logo. They should be called aftermarket or generic. Just because at first glance a glass seems the same does not make it oem same there is distortion and vin cutouts in the black frit that don’t line up and moldings assembled different and with different materials rain sensor mounts that are different and more….these make it so these aftermarket glass, even if from the maker of the oem are not equivalent.
Thank you for you response! Would love to see some pictures that we can post with what you are describing for our readers.
I have two vehicles that when the windshields cracked, I went to Safelite for replacement. In both cases, the original windshields had lasted for many, many years (one of the vehicles is a 1998 and the other is a 2000). In both cases, the Safelite replacement windshields are getting cracks and chips from rocks within six months to a year of the installation of the first Safelite replacement windshield. I realize that only two cars represents anecdotal evidence. But it seems significant to me that the factory windshields each lasted for 12 and 15 years respectively, and now the replacement Safelite windshields can’t make it even one full year on either car. And my other two cars, a 45 year old 1972 Datsun 240Z and a 1993 Mazda Miata, with more than 400,000 miles on the two of them collectively, still have their original windshields.
That is interesting. I would contact them directly, or if you went through your insurance company, I would talk to your agent to find the local safelite rep to discuss the quality of the windows they are using. Then again, as you mention, not that big of a sample and depending on where you live. My clients in Arizona get broken windows daily and depending on the temperature, the smallest chips become cracks. For those that paid cash with any glass company, talk to a sales rep and leverage the relationship with your agent to get the best bang for your buck. They want to keep insurance agents happy otherwise they may loose lots of business. Always treat your agent like your best friend for amazing perks when it comes time to advice and leveraging their relationships.
This whole article is wrong. Here’s what’s correct:
OE= Factory. Usually the best.
OEM=Meets minimum factory spec
Aftermarket=Fits in place. Usually worse than anything.
Any teenager who works on cars and goes to Autozone can tell you how this works.
Doy, thanks for your comments, but I disagree on aftermarket glass quality. As an agent I have seen a lot of glass claims in AZ where we have $0 glass coverage. My statement also includes discussions with many agent friends brokers and captives, I have yet to hear about more than 10-12 incidents of glass quality issues.
There are always three sides to every story, and I always lead with safety, then the clients choice, then what’s best for everyone. Personally, I want all my clients to have OEM glass, but the question who is willing to pay the premiums. This is not just the client getting an OEM window when needed, but all the fraud (glass shop owners, agents, clients…) which lead to so many other unnecessary wasted costs and time to everyone involved where insurance companies are now putting glass companies on a red list or doing random/mandatory inspections on glass claims.
One interest thing I was reading recently was how insurance companies (whether you love or hate them) are looking for ways to make the actuary numbers make sense and believe it or not, counting comprehensive glass claims is on the radar.
Anyways, I am with you in the desire for everyone to have OEM glass, but with insurance companies its about safety and profits, and unfortunately there is a cost.
On a positive note Farmers Insurance announced an OEM endorsement (some states like AZ) which besides the rules on OEM glass timeframes on the age of a car, the client can get OEM glass and parts on their car, and the cost is amazingly affordable.
O.E.M and aftermarket glass never be the same even it been made from the same manufacture and i can prove it.
Strictly Auto Glass – Thanks for your comment! You say you an prove it! Can your share more information please as it would be valuable for the 1000’s of our visitors.
I have had 6 aftermarket windshields installed in my various cars. I can tell you with absolute certainty that all of them had visual defects. All of the OEM glasses were defect free and ALL of the aftermarket ones had blurry areas in them. I am having the Windshield in my 2014 acura mdx replaced as I speak and I have already sent back 2 glasses that had defects. The ins company is refusing the pay for OEM even after the first 2 had issues. There is NO WAY any “aftermarket” glass is equivalent to OEM. The OEM QC process rejects any glass with visual defects in it. Those “rejects” get sent to the aftermarket market. The only time an aftermarket glass was close was in the case of a Pilkington glass that was pretty good in my old Acura TL. 3 x glasses in my TSX all defects, 1 in my Nissan pickup, defects, 2 x in the mdx, defects. I am trying a Pilkington next.
Thanks for your comment Kevin, we really appreciate it!
As the other auto glass installer stated, OE Equivalent is really a misnomer, it is not truly equivalent in most circumstances. It is a term that is made up by Safelite and their wholesale extension Service Auto Glass. It is true that it will meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, but OEMs have much higher standards such as residual stress tests that an OEM manufacture must meet. These residual stress levels affect the ability of the glass to sustain an impact and not crack. Some Aftermarket brands are better than others and the difference is more than the manufacture name printed on the glass.
Also most manufactures run two different production lines and OEM and an Aftermarket even on vehicles they have the OEM contract for. For example PGW may manufacture the OEM windshield for a Chevy truck in Ohio, but they produce the parts for the aftermaket in a factory in China that is not owned or ran by PGW, but contracted by them to produce the parts. Another consideration is that the OEM contract is different by model year and when that contract is up they are not producing those parts and may revert to aftermarket production standards which are much lower.
AZ Glass Tech – We appreciate your reply, and will review for updates to our OEM versus Aftermarket information!
I shouldn’t have to treat my agent like my buddy. My insurance company should cover an OEM replacement. Are they insuring my car, or a cheap chinese imitation / approximation of what they think a car should look like from a distance of 500ft?
I think we should be able to legally kill and eat our agent for not covering OEM replacements.
Thank you for your feedback. You are incorrect unfortunately, but we respect your opinion. It has nothing to do with the agent, they do not make the decision if a windshield, the insurance company does. The agent is there if there is a denial, then they can do their job and be a proponent for the client, as should every glass company/rep. The client just wants the window, the agent has their techniques to get stuff accomplished. The agent can’t control the actions of a insurance company, but again a good one will know how to get things done, hence our suggestion. It that is not enough for me, when my clients call me I go to bat for them BIG TIME and get them a solution.