We ensure that your vehicle is repaired using industry-accepted repair practices and quality replacement parts.
Only quality after-market, recycled, remanufactured or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts will be used to repair your vehicle. If your vehicle is the current model year, or you carry replacement cost coverage under an auto extension policy, only OEM parts will be used.
Deductible
All claims under your basic plate insurance are subject to a $700 deductible. If you are responsible for paying a deductible amount, it will appear on the appraisal sheet.
Your deductible may be lowered or waived if someone else is wholly or partially responsible for the damage to your vehicle. Your adjuster will advise you as soon as they confirm that the responsible party or their insurance company will pay for all or a portion of your deductible.
Timing of repairs
Once an appraiser has inspected your damaged vehicle and you've received an appraisal sheet outlining the cost of repairs, you can have your vehicle repaired, subject to the terms of your insurance.
Repairs must be completed within 2 years from the date of loss. However, it's a good idea to complete repairs as soon as possible to avoid any deterioration or further damage to your vehicle.
Some types of damage may affect the safe operation of your vehicle - such as damage to the headlights, tail lights, tires, wheels and so on - and should be repaired immediately.
Approved repair parts
We may approve the use of any of the following repair parts:
- After-market parts - new parts that meet the vehicle manufacturer's specifications, but are produced by someone other than the original equipment manufacturer
- Recycled parts - quality parts removed from vehicles in non-drivable conditions and used as replacement parts. Many of these parts are supplied by SGI's own recycling operations.
- Remanufactured parts - items such as radiators and alternators that have been rebuilt to meet or exceed the manufacturer's specifications
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts - parts manufactured by, or under licence to, the vehicle manufacturer
When OEM parts are not used
We'll specify the use of after-market, remanufactured or recycled parts on any vehicle older than the current model year, unless you carry replacement cost coverage under an auto extension policy.
If your vehicle is older than the current model year and requires body repair parts, trim or cosmetic items, recycled parts will be specified when available.
If your vehicle is 5 model years or older, after-market body parts, trim and cosmetic items will be specified when recycled parts are not available.
We approve the use of non-OEM parts for the following reasons:
- The lower cost of after-market, recycled and remanufactured parts makes it possible to repair older, well-maintained vehicles that would otherwise be too expensive to fix.
- After-market, recycled and remanufactured parts typically cost 20 to 50% less than OEM parts.
- Keeping the cost of claims lower helps to keep insurance premiums affordable.
- Using good quality recycled parts is environmentally friendly.
Quality of after-market collision parts
We only choose parts that are built to the OEM's specifications that are greater than or equal to the OEM's warranty.
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) rigorously inspects after-market manufacturing facilities and randomly inspects parts from the assembly line. CAPA, a non-profit organization formed by a group of insurers, sets minimum standards for after-market collision parts. A non-removable sticker identifies CAPA certified parts.
If you only want OEM parts used to repair your vehicle, simply inform your vehicle repair shop and they will bill you directly for the difference in cost.
Recycled airbags
Your repair estimate may call for a recycled airbag. In this case, we only use airbags provided by SGI Salvage that haven't been deployed and that are the same colour as the original part. These airbags have not been exposed to environmental elements that might affect the deployment accelerant.
A recycled airbag will continue to meet all safety requirements for airbag modules. Each time the ignition is turned on, your vehicle's airbag computer module does a diagnostic check of the airbag system and related components to ensure that they are working correctly.
Repair and replacement part warranties
We have an agreement with the repair industry that specifies a minimum 1-year warranty on repairs. Some repair shops may exceed this warranty, so ask your repairer about theirs.
All SGI recycled and after-market parts carry a warranty equivalent to the warranty of the OEM part.
Obsolete vehicle parts
If a part that requires replacement is not available from the OEM or an after-market supplier, we are responsible to pay you the last known list price of that part or the value of the part at the time of the incident, whichever is less.
Depreciated value of repaired part (betterment)
When a part needs to be replaced as a result of damage from a collision, we are only responsible for the depreciated value of that part.
The difference between the depreciated value and the replacement cost of the part is charged to the vehicle owner and appears on the appraisal sheet as betterment.
Note: Betterment will not be charged when a recycled part is used.
Unsatisfied with the repairs?
Feel free to discuss any concerns you have about the repairs with your repairer. Speak to the manager and outline any deficiencies you've identified. Most problems can be easily resolved in this manner.
Should there be a problem that can't be resolved with the repair shop, contact your adjuster. Your adjuster will discuss any improper repairs with your repairer.
Paying the GST
SGI is responsible to reimburse you for the amount it costs to repair your vehicle.
If you are a GST registrant, the amount of GST you're responsible to pay to the repair shop will be indicated on the appraisal sheet. As a GST registrant, you're entitled to an input tax credit for any GST paid.
