Most drivers assume a repaired bumper is a safe bumper. General Motors says otherwise. GM recently released an official position statement making clear that the bumper on your vehicle is not just cosmetic — and that an improper repair can quietly put you at risk long after you drive off the lot.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why Bumper Repair Safety Is About More Than Looks

Your bumper is part of an engineered system. It works together with energy absorbers, reinforcement bars, mounting hardware, and sensors. Every component is designed to perform in a very specific way during a crash.

When that system is repaired incorrectly, it may still look perfect. But it won’t perform the way it was built to.

GM’s position statement identifies specific practices that compromise this system:

• Repair methods not approved by the manufacturer
• Ignoring material limitations of modern plastics and composites
• Refinishing processes that change how the material behaves under stress
• Reusing components that are engineered to be replaced after a collision

These are not suggestions. They are engineering-based safety requirements.

How a Bad Bumper Repair Can Disable Your Safety Sensors

This is the part most drivers never hear about — and it matters every time you drive.

Modern vehicles use Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS. These include parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and collision avoidance systems. Many of these sensors sit directly behind or within the bumper.

GM warns that too much material on the bumper surface — from excessive paint thickness or improperly applied body filler — can interfere with how those sensors work. They may become less accurate, slower to respond, or unreliable.

There is no warning light for this. Your car will seem completely normal. The sensors will simply fail to respond the way they should — at the exact moment you need them.

What Insurance Pressure Has to Do With It

Insurance companies are focused on cost control. That often means pressure on repair shops to repair rather than replace, or to use parts that don’t meet OEM specifications.

On paper, that can look reasonable. But your policy is supposed to restore your vehicle to its pre-loss condition. If the repair doesn’t meet manufacturer requirements, it hasn’t done that — regardless of how the car looks.

The right question is never just “does it look right?” It’s “does this repair meet GM’s requirements for this vehicle?”

Bumper Repair Safety Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Approve Any Repair

Before you sign off on a bumper repair, ask these questions directly:

1. Are you following OEM procedures for my specific vehicle?
2. Are any parts being repaired that the manufacturer requires to be replaced?
3. Does this repair align with the manufacturer’s position statements?
4. Will ADAS sensors be recalibrated after the repair is complete?

A shop that follows manufacturer guidelines will have no trouble answering all four.

The Bottom Line

GM didn’t release this position statement by accident. These issues are happening in shops every day. A bumper that looks fixed is not the same as a bumper that performs as designed.

At Nylund’s Collision Center in Englewood, Colorado, we follow OEM repair procedures on every vehicle — because your safety after the repair matters just as much as your safety before the accident.

If you have questions about a recent repair or want to understand what proper collision repair looks like, we’re here to help.

Nylund’s Collision Center is a Lexus and Lucid authorized and Toyota certified repair facility serving the Denver metro area.

The post Bumper Repair Safety: What GM’s Warning Means for Your Car After a Collision appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

Most drivers never see this part. However, it plays an important role in how crash energy is managed. That is why it deserves far more attention than it usually gets.

What Is a Bumper Reinforcement?

The bumper cover is the painted plastic piece you see from the outside. Behind it sits a structural part commonly called the bumper reinforcement, bumper rebar, or impact bar. In a rear-end collision, that part helps absorb and distribute crash energy.

In practical terms, that means the bumper reinforcement is part of the system that helps protect the vehicle structure and the people inside it. That basic role is consistent with federal bumper rules and broader rear-impact safety research.

The Real Problem We Found

In the case discussed in our video, a customer came to Nylund’s Collision Center after another shop had already repaired her vehicle. On the estimate, most of the replacement parts were OEM. The exception was the aftermarket bumper reinforcement, which appeared to be the one part that mattered most in a rear impact.

When the part was inspected from underneath the vehicle, the weld quality looked visibly suspect. Some welds appeared irregular, and others did not match adjacent welds. According to the discussion in the transcript, this part was installed even though it raised obvious questions about how it would perform in a future crash.

That is the issue consumers need to understand. A repair estimate can look reasonable on paper while still including a decision you were never fully informed about.

Why Weld Quality Matters

A structural part is only as trustworthy as the way it was manufactured. If a bumper reinforcement does not deform and transfer forces as intended, it may not perform the way the vehicle was originally engineered to perform.

That does not mean every non-OEM part is automatically unsafe. It does mean that safety-critical parts deserve a much higher level of scrutiny than most consumers are led to believe. In this case, the concern was not theoretical. It was visible.

Where Insurance Enters the Picture

One of the most striking details in this case was the apparent cost difference. According to the transcript, the move away from OEM for this part represented about a $100 savings.

That should concern any vehicle owner. Why? Because a small savings on paper can create a very large question about crash performance later.

Insurance companies and insurance-recommended shops often make decisions based on cost controls, parts programs, and estimating rules. Consumers may assume those decisions are being made in their best interest. Sometimes they are. Sometimes they are not. The safest response is to ask better questions before the repair is completed.

A Word About CAPA Certified Parts

Some aftermarket parts are marketed as CAPA Certified. CAPA states that its certification process includes factory review plus testing for fit, finish, coating performance, and weld integrity.

That matters because it gives consumers a clearer picture of what CAPA certification is supposed to mean. At the same time, certification language should never stop a repairer or a vehicle owner from evaluating the actual part in front of them. A label on a box is one thing. The condition of the installed part is another.

How to Protect Yourself After a Rear-End Collision

If your vehicle is being repaired after a crash, slow the process down just enough to understand what is going on. Start with these steps:

1. Ask for a copy of the estimate

Do not rely on verbal summaries. Read the line items.

2. Look for parts descriptions

Check whether the estimate says OEM, aftermarket, recycled, reconditioned, or CAPA Certified.

3. Pay special attention to safety-related parts

Not every part carries the same level of risk. Structural parts deserve extra scrutiny.

4. Ask direct questions

Ask the shop which parts are non-OEM and why they were selected.

5. Get clarification in writing

If a part choice was influenced by an insurer, ask for that explanation in writing.

6. Seek a second opinion when something feels off

A second inspection can reveal issues you would never notice on your own.

Questions to Ask Before You Authorize Repairs

Use these questions with the shop and the insurer:

• Is this bumper reinforcement OEM or aftermarket?
• If it is aftermarket, who chose it?
• Was I told about that choice before ordering the part?
• Is this part considered structural or safety-related?
• What documentation supports using this part on my vehicle?
• If I want OEM, what is the price difference?
• Will the repair invoice clearly show what was installed?

Why Nylund’s Takes This Seriously

At Nylund’s Collision Center, we believe consumers deserve clear answers, not vague assurances. We are not interested in alarming people for the sake of drama. We are interested in helping drivers understand how repair decisions affect vehicle safety.

This is also why we continue producing The Airing of GRIEVEances. The goal is simple: show real examples, explain what they mean, and help Colorado drivers ask smarter questions before a bad repair becomes a dangerous one. The underlying concern in this week’s episode was not cosmetic. It was whether a critical rear-impact part would operate as designed if that vehicle were struck again.

The Bottom Line

An aftermarket bumper reinforcement may be hidden, but its job is not minor. If a structural part behind your bumper raises obvious quality concerns, that is not a detail to brush aside. It is a reason to stop, ask questions, and make sure your vehicle is being repaired the way it should be.

If you have concerns about a recent collision repair, contact Nylund’s Collision Center. We will help you understand what is on your vehicle and what questions you should be asking next.

Resources:

For readers who want additional background, these resources are useful:

• NHTSA bumper standard information
• CAPA certification process
• IIHS rear-impact and whiplash prevention research

The post Aftermarket Bumper Reinforcement Risks After a Crash appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

According to a lawsuit filed by her family, a counterfeit airbag had been placed in her 2019 Hyundai Sonata during an earlier repair. When the car was in another collision in July 2025, that fake airbag sent metal pieces directly into her chest. She died at the scene.

This story is hard to hear. But it’s important. And it raises a question that every driver, every car buyer, and every regulator in America should be asking: how often does something like this happen?

We recently talked about this case in depth on our video series, The Airing of GRIEVEances. Watch it below. Then keep reading – because this article goes deeper into what you can do to protect yourself.

Watch: Counterfeit Airbags, Salvage Titles, and the Repairs That Can Kill You – The Airing of GRIEVEances, Ep. 269

What Is a Counterfeit Airbag?

A real airbag is not just a bag. Inside your steering wheel or dashboard is a small but very complex device. It has an inflator, a folded cloth bag, and electronic parts that talk to your car’s crash sensors. The whole system fires in less time than you can blink.

Car makers test these systems for years before they put them in a vehicle. Every part has to work exactly right.

A counterfeit airbag looks like the real thing on the outside. But the parts inside can be completely different. Some fake inflators have exploded during a crash instead of inflating safely – turning a life-saving device into a weapon.

That is what investigators believe happened in this case.

How Do Counterfeit Parts End Up in a Car?

To understand how a fake airbag gets into a vehicle, you need to know what happens after a serious crash.

When a car is badly damaged, an insurance company compares the cost to fix it against what the car is worth. If the repair cost is too high, the insurer declares the car a total loss and pays out the claim. The car then gets a salvage title.

Here’s where it gets complicated. That same car can be bought, repaired, and put back on the road. When it passes inspection, it gets a rebuilt title. Last year alone, about 2.5 million vehicles went through this process and returned to American roads.

Some of those repairs were done carefully and correctly. But others were done as cheaply as possible. And the system, in most states, does not catch the difference.

Why Don’t Inspections Catch This?

Rebuilt vehicle inspections vary a lot from state to state. Some check paperwork. Some look for stolen parts. Very few check whether the manufacturer’s repair procedures were actually followed.

Almost none of them involve taking the car apart to look at hidden safety parts – like the airbag module inside the steering wheel.

That means a car can pass inspection and look completely normal, even if the airbag inside is fake, the wrong size, or from a completely different vehicle.

The owner has no way to know. They drive the car every day, trusting that the safety system will protect them if something goes wrong.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

If you’re buying a used car, or if you already own one with a salvage or rebuilt title, here are steps you can take right now:

• Check the title history. Services like Carfax or AutoCheck can show you if a car has been declared a total loss in the past.
• Ask for repair records. A responsible shop will have documentation of every part that was replaced and every procedure that was followed.
• Choose a certified repair facility. Shops that are certified by the vehicle’s manufacturer are required to use real parts and follow real procedures.
• Get a pre-purchase inspection. Before you buy any used vehicle – especially one with a rebuilt title – have a trusted, certified shop inspect it. Ask them to specifically check safety systems.
• Don’t assume “it looks fine” means it is fine. Counterfeit parts are designed to look identical to the real thing. You cannot see the difference from the outside.

Why Certified Repair Matters

Nylund’s Collision Center is an authorized repair facility for Lexus and Lucid, and certified by Toyota. Those certifications are not just a badge on the wall. They require specific training, specific tools, and strict use of manufacturer-approved procedures.

When a car manufacturer designs a safety system, they design it as one connected system. The structure of the car, the seatbelts, the crash sensors, and the airbags all work together. When any one of those parts is wrong, the whole system can fail.

Manufacturer certifications exist because modern vehicles are too complex – and too important – to repair any other way.

Our job is to return your vehicle to exactly the condition the manufacturer designed it to be in. Not close. Not good enough. Exactly right.

The Question That Deserves an Answer

Regulators in the United States have already connected several deaths to counterfeit airbag inflators. Each one is a family who believed their car would keep them safe.

How many deaths does it take before counterfeit safety parts are removed from the marketplace entirely?

We don’t have a good answer to that question yet. What we do have is a commitment: every car that comes through our doors gets repaired the right way, with the right parts, following the right procedures. No shortcuts. No exceptions.

Because the people in those vehicles are real. And they deserve better.

If you found this article helpful, share it with someone who drives a rebuilt vehicle – or anyone who’s thinking about buying one. It could save a life.

About the Author: Eric Reamer

Eric Reamer has spent 17+ years in the collision repair industry, sharing stories of insurance and body shop accountability, quality in repair, and consumer advocacy. . Nylund’s Collision Center is an authorized Lexus and Lucid repair facility and Toyota-certified shop serving the Colorado Front Range. The shop’s Airing of GRIEVEances video series is dedicated to helping everyday drivers understand the collision repair process and make safer decisions. Views expressed are based on industry experience and publicly available information.

The post Counterfeit Airbags in Rebuilt Vehicles appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

This article walks you through the repair process at many insurance-preferred shops, explains the conflict of interest that can exist in those arrangements, and tells you what questions to ask so that you can protect yourself.

What Is a Direct Repair Program – and Why Does It Matter to You?

Many insurance companies maintain a list of “preferred” or “approved” body shops. These shops have signed a contract with the insurer, agreeing to certain terms in exchange for a steady stream of customers. This arrangement is called a Direct Repair Program, or DRP.

On the surface, that sounds convenient. In practice, though, it creates a conflict of interest. Because the shop has agreed to work within the insurer’s guidelines, the insurance company – not you – effectively becomes the customer. The insurer’s goal is to manage the cost of the repair, which means the shop is often working within a framework that prioritizes what the insurer considers compliant over what the manufacturer recommends.

At Nylund’s, we do not participate in any DRP arrangements. Our repair decisions are guided by one thing: the manufacturer’s procedures for your specific vehicle. That’s an important distinction, and it’s why customers often come to us after having their car repaired elsewhere and finding that something isn’t right.

Person #1: The Estimator – Your Point of Contact, But Not Your Advocate

When you bring your car to a DRP shop, the first person you’ll interact with is the estimator. They catalog the damage, write up the repair plan, and submit it to the insurance company. They’re also your main point of contact throughout the process.

Here’s the problem: that estimator is writing what’s called an “insurance-compliant” estimate. That means the document is built to fit within the box the insurer has defined – which often includes aftermarket parts or used parts, rather than original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.

What most estimators won’t tell you: if aftermarket parts are installed on a vehicle that’s still under warranty, it can void portions of that warranty. For example, aftermarket suspension components mean the manufacturer is no longer responsible for that system. That’s information you have a right to know – but in most DRP shops, nobody will bring it up.

Once the estimate is submitted, the insurer may send back a “change request” – essentially a list of items they want removed or swapped out to bring the cost down. That negotiation happens behind the scenes. You’ll never see it. As Rob Grieve of Nylund’s puts it: it’s not good enough until it’s cheap enough. And that’s not a standard any car owner should be satisfied with.

Here is a complete video from our YouTube series, “The Airing of GRIEVEances“.

Decisions Made at Every Stop Through the Shop

The estimator is just the beginning. Once your car enters the repair process, it passes through multiple hands – and at each stop, decisions are made that you may never hear about.

The Body Technician

The body technician is responsible for the physical repairs: replacing panels, welding structural components, and restoring the vehicle’s frame and structure. In a recent post-repair inspection we performed on a nearly new 2024 Toyota RAV4, we found that the radiator support – which was clearly bent and clearly listed on the estimate for replacement – had never been replaced at all. The shop had charged for it. The customer had no idea.

Beyond the missing part, we also found structural components that had been welded in incorrectly and not according to Toyota’s repair procedures. Those aren’t minor issues. Improper welds on structural elements are a safety concern, not a cosmetic one. The body technician made those calls without a single conversation with the vehicle’s owner.

The Painter

After structural work is completed, the car moves to the paint department. Here, too, decisions get made. In the RAV4 case, paint had not been sanded or primed correctly over the weld areas. There were visible runs in the paint on the frame rail. To make it worse, the painter had been paid – per the estimate – to paint the radiator support. The same radiator support that was still bent and had never been replaced.

Nobody called the customer to say, “Is it okay if we leave runs in your paint?” Nobody told them the radiator support wasn’t going to be replaced. The decisions were simply made, the car was reassembled, and it was handed back.

Outside Vendors: The Mechanic and the Calibration Company

Some repairs require work beyond what the body shop handles in-house. In this case, the vehicle needed suspension work. Rather than sending it to the Toyota dealership – where certified technicians with the right tools could handle it properly – the shop sent it to an outside mechanic. The result was suspension hardware that had been installed with the wrong tools, leaving fasteners that hadn’t been properly secured.

The vehicle also required ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) calibrations after a front-end hit. Those calibrations need to be performed with manufacturer-specific equipment and software. Whether that standard was met, the customer had no way of knowing.

In total, at least five separate parties made significant decisions about this vehicle — the estimator, the body technician, the painter, whoever chose the outside mechanic, and the mechanic themselves. The customer was consulted about none of it.

How to Protect Yourself When Your Car Needs Collision Repair

Understanding how this process works is the first step. Knowing what to do about it is the second.

Before you ever need a body shop, consider choosing your insurance carrier carefully. Not all insurers treat the repair process the same way. Look for carriers that earn strong marks for claim handling – resources like the insurer report card can help guide that decision before you’re ever in an accident.

When your car does need repairs, remember that you have the right to choose your own shop. Your insurer may recommend their preferred shops, but you are not required to use them. If you do choose a shop on an approved list, ask directly: Do you follow the manufacturer’s repair procedures? Do you use OEM parts? Do you perform all work in-house, or do you send it to outside vendors?

Look for shops that carry manufacturer certifications. A certified Toyota shop, for example, has been trained to repair Toyota vehicles according to Toyota’s specifications. That certification doesn’t automatically guarantee a perfect outcome, but it sets a clear standard that you can hold the shop to.

Finally, ask to see the estimate and have someone walk you through it. You should know what parts are being used, where the work is being performed, and what the repair plan looks like before anything starts.

The Bottom Line: You Get What They Pay For

There’s an old saying that you get what you pay for. In the world of insurance-driven collision repair, the more accurate version is: you get what they pay for. The insurer controls the budget, the DRP shop works within it, and the consumer is often the last to know about the tradeoffs that were made along the way.

The RAV4 we inspected in this episode ultimately became a total loss – not because of the original accident, but because of what happened to it during the repair. A nearly new vehicle, destroyed by a process the owner had no visibility into.

At Nylund’s Collision Center, we do things differently. We follow manufacturer repair procedures. We use OEM parts. We keep customers informed and welcome them to come in and see their car at any stage of the process. And when we can’t do something in-house at the right standard, we send it to the right place – not the cheapest one.

If you have questions about a current or past repair, or you’d like to schedule a post-repair inspection, contact Nylund’s Collision Center. We’re here to make sure you – not the insurer – come first.

The post Who Is Really Making Decisions About Your Auto Body Repair? appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

Stellantis just reminded everyone about their collision repair procedures, especially when it comes to structural fasteners and radar components. Nothing in the update is brand new, but the fact they’re spelling it out again says a lot about what really happens in shops today.

Why This Reminder Matters

At Nylund’s Collision Center, we’ve seen this stuff play out too many times. Vehicle engineers build these cars with exact assumptions in mind. They count on you replacing certain bolts after you take them out. They expect radar sensors to get recalibrated if anything near them gets messed with. And they assume replacement parts match what went through crash testing.

Those assumptions only work if we follow the procedures to the letter.

The Truth About Structural Fasteners

Take structural fasteners. A lot of them are torque-to-yield bolts. They stretch on purpose when you tighten them the first time, creating the right clamping force. Once stretched, the metal changes. Put that same bolt back in and it won’t hold the same way, even if it feels snug.

From the outside, everything looks fine. No dash light comes on. The car drives normally. But in a real crash, that structure might not behave the way it was designed to.

That’s exactly why Stellantis had to clarify this. Reusing one-time-use fasteners isn’t a shortcut. It’s a risk.

Modern Bumpers Are More Than Cosmetic

Bumpers used to be simple. Fix the dents, match the paint, and send it out the door. Now the same bumper might hold radar sensors for blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts, or parking aids.

Stellantis pointed out clear rules: watch your paint thickness in radar zones, avoid certain repair materials near sensor mounts, and always scan and recalibrate afterward. These sound like small details. They’re not.

Radar systems work in tight tolerances. A little extra paint, a slight shift in angle, or the wrong filler nearby can throw off the signal. The system might still “work.” No warning light pops up. But its detection range or accuracy drifts. In everyday driving you might never notice. In that split-second moment when you need it most, it matters.

Where Insurance and Engineering Meet (and Sometimes Clash)

Insurance adjusters and body shops don’t always see eye to eye here. Engineers want the vehicle back to its exact engineered state. Insurance wants to keep claims reasonable and estimates straightforward.

That’s fair. But an estimate missing a step doesn’t make the step optional. If the manufacturer says it’s required, we do it. Period.

This Isn’t Just About Stellantis

This isn’t just a Stellantis thing. Every major brand counts on precise repairs to keep crash performance and safety systems reliable. Today’s vehicles are complex layers of metal, electronics, and software, all working together in narrow windows. Tiny changes can affect how force travels through the frame or how sensors read the road.

When customers pick up their car, they look at paint shine, panel gaps, and how clean the finish is. Those are easy to see. Replaced fasteners and calibration reports? Not so much. But they matter just as much, if not more.

Questions to Ask Your Collision Repair Shop

If your vehicle’s in the shop after a crash, ask a few straight questions:

• Are we following the Stellantis collision repair procedures for my exact model?
• Were any single-use parts removed? Did they get replaced with new ones?
• Are we using genuine factory parts where the manufacturer calls for them?
• Did you run all the required scans and recalibrations, and do you have the documentation?

Good shops won’t hesitate to answer. Straight talk builds trust.

Our Commitment at Nylund’s Collision Center

Insurance is supposed to put you back to pre-loss condition. That includes structural strength and full safety system function, not just making it look nice on the outside.

Here at Nylund’s Collision Center in Englewood, Colorado, we treat manufacturer procedures as the rule book. Single-use parts get replaced. Recalibrations happen and get documented. Genuine components go in when specified. We don’t cut corners for convenience. We do it to match what the engineers tested and validated.

This latest Stellantis reminder reinforces what we’ve always believed: real repairs respect the original design.

Want to dive deeper? Check out this week’s episode of The Airing of GRIEVEances. We break down the announcement and talk about how it hits the shop floor.

Nylund’s Collision Center 4495 S Santa Fe Dr Englewood, CO 80110

Body shop, collision repair, car accident repair Lexus Authorized, Toyota Certified, Lucid Certified

When a vehicle is built with precision, the repair should match that same care.

The post Stellantis Collision Repair Procedures appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

What the 2026 Insurer Report Card Measures

Crash Network publishes the 2026 Insurer Report Card annually. The report captures the experience of shop owners, managers, and technicians who work with insurers every day. It does not measure advertising presence or brand familiarity. Instead, it evaluates how insurers handle claims when vehicles need proper repairs.

The survey centers on one question: how well do an insurer’s claim handling policies, attitude, and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service for motorists? Shops answer based on direct experience. They do not rely on marketing claims or slogans.

The median score this year was 680. Insurers that scored above that number performed at or above average. Insurers that scored below it created more difficulty during the repair process. That difference becomes critical when your vehicle requires manufacturer procedures and safety calibrations.

Why the Largest Insurers Rank Low on the 2026 Insurer Report Card

Roughly 200 auto insurers operate nationwide. However, the ten largest companies insure about three-quarters of all drivers. Despite their size and visibility, those top ten insurers once again failed to reach the midpoint of the survey rankings.

The highest-ranked company among the largest insurers still scored below the overall median. The lowest performer ranked far lower. Market dominance clearly does not guarantee strong claim support. When a collision happens, performance matters more than brand recognition.

The Honor Roll: Insurers Scoring B or Better

Some insurers continue to earn strong grades. The 2026 Insurer Report Card highlights companies that received a B or better for their claim practices. These insurers demonstrate stronger support for proper repairs and fair payment procedures.

Companies such as North Carolina Farm Bureau, Alfa Mutual, Chubb, Erie Insurance, Acuity Insurance, Michigan Farm Bureau, PURE Insurance, Southern Farm Bureau, AIG Private Client, and Amica earned high marks this year. Many operate regionally, and some serve only select states. However, their performance shows that insurers can choose to support manufacturer-required repair procedures.

In many cases, these companies approve necessary operations quickly and move vehicles through the repair process with fewer obstacles. That support reduces stress for vehicle owners and repair facilities alike.

Why the 2026 Insurer Report Card Matters to Drivers

Most drivers experience a collision only once every eight to twelve years. Because of that, many people do not evaluate their insurer’s claim performance until they need it. By then, they are already managing the stress of an accident.

After a collision, drivers often face vehicle damage, transportation issues, and scheduling disruptions. If an insurer resists paying for required procedures or delays approvals, the burden shifts to the vehicle owner. Some drivers must decide whether to pay out of pocket for proper repairs or accept incomplete work.

Higher-rated insurers typically approve appropriate repair procedures more efficiently. They create fewer disputes and reduce unnecessary delays. That difference can significantly affect your overall repair experience.

Advertising Does Not Equal Claim Performance

Many of the lowest-ranked insurers are household names. They invest heavily in advertising and brand recognition. Marketing shapes perception, but it does not determine how an insurer handles a claim.

The 2026 Insurer Report Card reflects daily experiences from professionals who advocate for proper repairs. When an insurer consistently receives low grades, that pattern deserves attention. Insurance exists to protect you when something goes wrong. How a company performs during a claim reveals its true priorities.

Our Perspective at Nylund’s Collision Center

At Nylund’s Collision Center in Englewood, Colorado, we work with insurance companies every day. Our responsibility is to repair vehicles according to manufacturer specifications and restore them safely. We are Lexus Authorized, Toyota Certified, and Lucid Certified. Those certifications require strict adherence to OEM repair procedures.

When insurers support those procedures, repairs move forward efficiently. When insurers resist them, the process becomes more complicated and stressful for the consumer. The 2026 Insurer Report Card reinforces what many drivers discover after filing a claim: not all insurance companies approach repairs the same way.

Choosing the right insurer before an accident can make a measurable difference. Reviewing real-world claim performance helps drivers make informed decisions long before they need to file a claim.

Resources

• Crash Network – 2026 Insurer Report Card
  https://www.crashnetwork.com

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) – Consumer Resources
  https://content.naic.org/consumer

• Insurance Information Institute – Auto Insurance Overview
  https://www.iii.org/article/auto-insurance-basics

The post 2026 Insurer Report Card: What It Means for Your Collision Repair appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

Recently introduced legislation in Georgia highlights concerns that extend far beyond one state. In fact, drivers across the country report pressure to use certain repair facilities, disputes over manufacturer procedures, and frustrating delays in supplemental approvals.

These patterns are not isolated. Instead, they reflect broader claim handling practices that affect policyholders nationwide.

What Is Insurance Steering?

Insurance steering occurs when an insurer attempts to influence your choice of repair facility.

For example, a representative may suggest a preferred shop as the “best” option, imply your claim may not be paid in full elsewhere, or create friction when you select another facility. While insurers may offer recommendations, they cannot require you to use a specific shop.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, consumers have the right to choose their repair facility when filing a claim. When a recommendation turns into pressure, steering has begun.

Why OEM Repair Rights Matter

OEM repair rights protect your ability to have your vehicle repaired according to manufacturer procedures.

Modern vehicles function as integrated systems. As a result, proper repairs often require structural measurement, advanced driver assistance system calibration, pre- and post-repair scanning, specific bonding materials, and approved replacement parts.

Automakers design vehicles to precise engineering standards. Therefore, skipping documented procedures can compromise structural performance and safety system functionality. Cost control should never override manufacturer repair documentation.

Federal safety oversight reinforces the importance of manufacturer compliance. You can review vehicle safety standards through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Even a small deviation from documented procedures can affect how a vehicle performs in a future collision.

How Claim Delays Affect Proper Repairs

During repairs, technicians frequently uncover hidden damage. When that occurs, the repair facility submits a supplemental estimate to the insurer for review.

At that stage, delays often create serious consequences. Extended approval timelines can increase rental expenses, lengthen downtime, disrupt family schedules, and create unnecessary stress.

Clear communication reduces uncertainty. Likewise, written explanations for denied or reduced line items protect consumers from confusion and help maintain transparency. Without defined timelines, policyholders remain in limbo.

Insurance Steering and OEM Repair Rights in Colorado and Beyond

Although the recent legislation applies to Georgia, similar issues affect drivers in Colorado and throughout the country. In addition, state legislatures nationwide continue to evaluate insurance regulatory practices and consumer protections. Broader policy trends can be reviewed through the National Conference of State Legislatures.

At Nylund’s Collision Center in Englewood, we regularly speak with guests who describe pressure to use certain shops, challenges obtaining approval for OEM procedures, unexplained supplemental delays, and vague coverage interpretations.

These experiences share a common theme: lack of transparency. Consumers deserve clear communication about how their vehicles will be repaired and why coverage decisions are made.

Your Rights as a Policyholder

Understanding insurance steering and OEM repair rights strengthens your position before a claim begins.

As a policyholder, you have the right to select the repair facility that works on your vehicle. Additionally, you may request repairs that follow manufacturer procedures and ask for written explanations if an insurer denies specific operations. You may also inquire whether the insurer has a financial interest in a recommended shop.

Your insurance policy represents a contract designed to protect you. It does not exist to serve an internal cost-control strategy.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Repair Rights

If you need to file a claim, proactive preparation can make a significant difference.

First, select your repair facility before discussing insurer recommendations. By doing so, you establish control over where your vehicle will be evaluated and repaired from the outset.

Next, ask whether the repair plan follows documented OEM procedures. When possible, request written confirmation so you have clear documentation of the intended scope of work.

If the insurer denies or reduces any line items, request a written explanation that references policy language. In addition, track the dates when supplemental estimates are submitted and when responses are received. Keeping a simple record not only prevents unnecessary delays but also strengthens your position if disputes arise.

Finally, maintain copies of all communication related to your claim. Organized documentation increases clarity, reduces confusion, and protects your interests throughout the repair process.

Preparation reduces conflict. More importantly, it promotes transparency.

Watch the Full Discussion

In this episode of The Airing of GRIEVEances, we break down the proposed legislation, explain why it matters beyond Georgia, and discuss how insurance steering and OEM repair rights affect drivers nationwide.

The Bottom Line

You should never feel pressured to choose a repair facility. You should never remain uncertain about manufacturer procedures. Likewise, you should not wait indefinitely for supplemental approvals.

Insurance steering and OEM repair rights protect your vehicle, your investment, and your family’s safety.

When policyholders understand their rights, insurers must respond with greater transparency. Ultimately, proper repairs require documentation, accountability, and adherence to manufacturer standards.

If you have questions about your repair options or want clarification about OEM procedures, contact Nylund’s Collision Center in Englewood, Colorado. Our team focuses on clear communication and manufacturer-compliant repairs performed according to documented standards.

The post Insurance Steering and OEM Repair Rights | What Drivers Must Know appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

In this article, we explain what insurance guaranteed repairs actually mean, where responsibility often shifts, and why some unsafe repairs only surface during a post-repair inspection.

What “Insurance Guaranteed Repairs” Really Means

When an insurer recommends a preferred repair shop, the insurer typically claims the repairs are guaranteed for as long as the customer owns the vehicle. That guarantee does not usually mean the insurer directly stands behind the repair work.

In most cases:

• The repair shop issues the written repair guarantee

• The insurer defers responsibility back to that shop

• The consumer must return to the same shop if something goes wrong

This structure creates confusion when repairs fail. Drivers expect the insurer to step in. Instead, they often discover that the guarantee depends on whether the original shop agrees that a problem exists.

Why Failed Repairs Are So Hard to Identify

Most drivers judge repair quality by what they can see. Panel gaps, paint texture, or trim alignment may raise concerns, but structural problems remain hidden behind panels and inside frame rails.

In the video case study, a late-model Lexus arrived for a post-repair inspection. Exterior misalignment prompted a deeper investigation. That inspection revealed:

• Bent structural components

• Improperly welded frame sections

• Missing or incomplete welds inside the frame rail

These conditions directly affect how a vehicle manages collision energy in a future crash.

When Insurance Guaranteed Repairs Fail

When unsafe repairs surface, consumers often expect insurers to immediately correct the issue. Today, insurers frequently respond by directing the customer back to the original repair shop.

That process creates several problems:

• The original shop may dispute the findings

• Liability concerns delay corrective action

• The vehicle may become a total loss due to repair costs

• The consumer absorbs weeks or months of stress

In recent cases, insurers ultimately declared vehicles total losses not because of the original accident, but because improper repairs made safe correction impractical.

Why Post-Repair Inspections Matter

A post-repair inspection provides an independent evaluation of repair quality and safety. Qualified inspections often include:

• Measurement of structural alignment

• Removal of exterior components for visual access

• Internal inspection using borescopes

• Verification of weld quality and attachment points

These inspections help identify problems before another collision exposes them in the worst possible way.

Who Is Actually Responsible for the Repair?

Responsibility depends on who controls the repair process.

At Nylund’s Collision Center, the responsibility stays clear. The shop answers directly to the vehicle owner, not to an insurer’s repair program. That structure removes divided accountability and eliminates blame shifting when issues arise.

Shops that operate independently can prioritize:

• Manufacturer repair procedures

• Proper structural restoration

• Long-term vehicle safety

• Immediate correction if an issue appears

What Drivers Should Ask Before Trusting a Repair Guarantee

Before accepting insurance guaranteed repairs, drivers should request written answers to the following:

• Who issues the repair guarantee

• Who pays if the repair fails

• Who decides whether the repair meets standards

• What happens if the shop disagrees with the findings

Clear answers protect consumers long before problems develop.

The Bottom Line for Colorado Drivers

Insurance guaranteed repairs may sound comprehensive, but the protection often depends on fine print and divided responsibility. Safe repairs require transparency, accountability, and adherence to manufacturer procedures.

If your vehicle has already been repaired and you have concerns, a professional post-repair inspection can provide clarity and peace of mind.

Related Topics You May Find Helpful

• OEM repair standards and why they matter

• Post-repair inspections after an accident

• Structural damage vs cosmetic damage

The post Insurance Guaranteed Repairs appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

After a collision, most drivers expect a straightforward process. A body shop repairs the vehicle, and the owner gets it back in safe condition.

The reality often looks different.

Pricing systems, insurance guidelines, and third-party platforms influence many repair decisions before a vehicle owner ever sees an estimate. These unseen factors shape which procedures move forward, which ones face resistance, and which ones never appear on the repair plan.

That reality makes one question especially important for consumers to understand: who decides how your car is repaired?

Modern Vehicle Repairs Go Beyond Cosmetic Work

Modern vehicles depend on technology. Cameras, sensors, computers, and software work together to keep drivers safe.

After an accident, vehicle manufacturers commonly require:

• Diagnostic scans before and after repairs

• Calibration of safety cameras and sensors

• Verification of advanced driver-assistance systems

• Documentation confirming completion of these steps

Manufacturers do not list these procedures as optional. They require them to restore the vehicle to a safe operating condition.

When technicians skip or rush these steps, warning lights often stay off. The vehicle may drive normally even when a system no longer performs as designed.

How Pricing Pressure Shapes Repair Decisions

In the video linked below, we discuss how pricing expectations influence the repair process.

When estimating systems introduce standardized prices that do not reflect manufacturer requirements, those prices often turn into informal limits. Over time, they influence how shops write estimates and how insurers review them.

For vehicle owners, this pressure can lead to:

• Required procedures facing delays or pushback

• Repairs written to meet cost targets instead of safety needs

• Confusion when a shop explains that an insurer declined payment

In many cases, shops do not resist these procedures. The system surrounding them creates the resistance.

Video: Who Really Decides How Your Car Is Repaired?

At this point, it helps to hear the issue explained directly.

In this episode of Airing of GRIEVEances, we explain how industry pricing decisions can affect real repair outcomes and what consumers should understand before approving a repair.

What “The Insurance Company Won’t Pay for That” Really Means

When a vehicle owner hears that phrase, it often sounds final.

Insurance policies typically promise to restore a vehicle to its pre-loss condition. They do not replace or override manufacturer repair requirements.

When a repair step faces resistance, consumers can ask direct follow-up questions, such as:

• Is this procedure required by the vehicle manufacturer?

• What risk does skipping this step create?

• Will the repair documentation show whether this step was completed?

These questions move the conversation away from cost alone and back toward safety and accountability.

Why Transparency Protects Consumers

Most repair decisions happen long before a customer stands at the front counter. Estimating platforms, insurer guidelines, and third-party systems shape those decisions out of view.

That lack of visibility creates risk for consumers who do not know what questions to ask.

Education changes that balance. When drivers understand how the process works, they can participate in repair decisions instead of accepting them without explanation.

How Nylund’s Collision Center Handles Repairs

At Nylund’s Collision Center, we base repair decisions on manufacturer procedures and documented safety requirements.

Our team focuses on:

• Following OEM repair guidelines

• Performing required diagnostic scans and calibrations

• Documenting completed procedures

• Explaining repair decisions clearly to vehicle owners

When a procedure protects the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, we perform it and document it.

Questions Every Car Owner Should Ask After a Collision

After an accident, car owners can ask:

• Did you scan my vehicle before and after repairs?

• Did the repair require any calibrations, and did you complete them?

• Did the repair follow manufacturer procedures?

• Did cost influence whether any step was left out?

These questions help ensure that repair decisions focus on safety rather than convenience or price.

Additional Consumer Resources

For drivers who want to better understand vehicle safety requirements and their rights after a collision, the following resources provide reliable, non-commercial information:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety
  The federal authority on vehicle safety systems, recalls, and post-collision risks. This resource helps consumers understand why proper repairs and functioning safety systems matter.

• OEM1Stop (Manufacturer Repair Information Portal)
  https://www.oem1stop.com
  A centralized access point used by vehicle manufacturers to provide official repair procedures, calibration requirements, and technical documentation.

• I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair)
  https://www.i-car.com
  An industry-recognized organization focused on training, repair standards, and proper collision repair techniques, including diagnostics and ADAS calibration.

These resources can help consumers make informed decisions and ask better questions about how their vehicles are repaired after an accident.

The post Who Really Decides How Your Car Is Repaired? appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

Most drivers assume that if their vehicle has been repaired after a collision, it’s been restored to a safe, roadworthy condition. Unfortunately, a recent federal warning makes it clear that this assumption can be dangerous.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent alert regarding counterfeit airbag inflators that are likely being illegally imported into the United States and installed in vehicles after collisions. These inflators are not just defective — they’ve been linked to multiple fatalities and severe injuries.

In the video above, Nylund’s Collision Center breaks down what this warning means for everyday drivers, especially those who own or are shopping for used vehicles.

This article expands on that discussion and explains why this issue keeps resurfacing — and what consumers can do to protect themselves.

What Is an Airbag Inflator — and Why Does It Matter?

An airbag inflator is the component responsible for rapidly filling the airbag during a crash. It is a critical life-saving device that must meet strict federal safety standards.

When properly engineered and manufactured:

• The inflator deploys the airbag smoothly

• The force is controlled

• The occupant is protected

When counterfeit or substandard inflators are used:

• Deployment can be violent and unpredictable

• The inflator can rupture

• Metal fragments can be propelled into the cabin

In several documented cases, crashes that were otherwise survivable became fatal because the airbag itself failed catastrophically.

NHTSA’s Warning: What Drivers Need to Know

According to NHTSA, certain replacement airbag inflators — primarily manufactured overseas and not approved for use in the U.S. — are appearing in vehicles after collision repairs.

Key concerns raised by federal investigators include:

• Inflators likely imported illegally

• Parts installed outside OEM repair channels

• Use in vehicles that previously deployed airbags

• Higher prevalence in salvage or rebuilt vehicles

While some vehicle models have been specifically identified in investigations, this is not limited to any single brand or manufacturer.

The broader issue is post-collision repairs performed without proper parts verification.

How Long Have Counterfeit Airbags Been a Problem?

This issue is not new.

Federal regulators have warned about counterfeit or substandard airbag components for more than a decade. As early as 2012, testing revealed that some non-OEM airbags:

• Failed to deploy

• Deployed inconsistently

• Deployed with excessive force

What has changed in recent years is not the existence of the problem — but the ability to conclusively link injuries and deaths to specific counterfeit inflators.

As investigations have become more detailed, patterns have emerged across multiple crashes, states, and repair scenarios. That growing body of evidence is what prompted NHTSA’s most recent urgent warning.

Why Repaired Vehicles Are Most at Risk

Vehicles that have been involved in serious collisions are more vulnerable because:

• Airbags must be replaced after deployment

• Repairs often happen out of sight of the vehicle owner

• Cost pressures can influence part selection

• Salvage or rebuilt vehicles may change hands multiple times

Without strict adherence to OEM repair procedures, unsafe parts can be introduced without the owner ever knowing.

This is why who repairs your vehicle — and how they repair it — matters.

What Used-Car Buyers and Owners Should Do Now

If you own or are considering buying a used vehicle, especially one with a prior accident history, here are important steps you can take:

1. Review the vehicle history

Look for records of:

• Prior collisions

• Airbag deployment

• Salvage or rebuilt title branding

2. Ask direct questions about repairs

If airbags were replaced, ask:

• Were OEM airbag components used?

• Were inflators sourced directly from the manufacturer?

• Is documentation available?

3. Have the airbag system inspected

A qualified repair facility or dealership can verify whether proper components were installed.

4. Be cautious with “too good to be true” pricing

Significantly cheaper repairs often come with hidden compromises — especially when it comes to safety systems.

Why OEM-Correct Repairs Matter

At Nylund’s Collision Center, repairs are performed according to manufacturer procedures, using OEM-approved parts whenever required for safety.

This approach isn’t about speed or shortcuts — it’s about:

• Vehicle integrity

• Occupant safety

• Long-term reliability

When it comes to airbags and other restraint systems, there is no acceptable margin for error.

Final Thoughts: Safety Should Never Be Assumed

An airbag is designed to save your life. If it’s counterfeit, improperly sourced, or illegally installed, it can do the opposite.

NHTSA’s warning is a reminder that safety doesn’t end when the crash is over. It extends through the repair process — and that process must be transparent, verifiable, and manufacturer-correct.

If you have questions about prior repairs, airbag replacements, or collision damage, Nylund’s Collision Center is here to help you make informed decisions — because when it comes to safety, assumptions can be dangerous.

The post Counterfeit Airbag Inflators appeared first on Nylunds Collision.