France Assureurs, which brings together a large part of the profession, welcomes the progress of this practice in the country but wants to go further. The organization insists on the environmental interest in connection with the circular economy of reused parts which also allow better control of the cost of the repair. And, ultimately, to lower the auto premium?
Used or recycled, these bumpers, mirrors or body parts are used to repair a damaged vehicle. This practice, carried out with the agreement of the insured car owner, is called the use of spare parts. France Assureurs (FA), which brings together a large part of the profession, welcomes the progress of this practice in the country but wants to go further because it remains limited: only 3% of parts replaced in the context of claims covered by insurers, writes the organism in a position note.
However, we observe that this rate is 8% for vehicles between 10 and 15 years old and 20% for vehicles over 15 years old. FA insists on the environmental interest, in connection with the circular economy of reused parts which also make it possible to better control the cost of the repair.
An important element when the price of spare parts climbs regularly: according to Scurit et Rparation Automobile (SRA), an organization close to insurers, the price of car spare parts soared 5.8% in 2020 (+7% for Peugeot, +2% for Renault and +7% for Citron). This argument is also often put forward to justify the increase in the price of car insurance contributions.
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Insurers therefore put the following proposals on the market for spare parts for car repair:
- that the supply chain for reused parts be even better structured, in parallel with the overhaul of the extended producer responsibility (REP) chain for end-of-life vehicles (ELVs): it is also a question of facilitating the identification of parts and their availability (scanning) and improving supply chains;
- that the traceability of reused parts is optimized;
- that the fight against illegal channels with ELVs going abroad be intensified;
- that a classification system for ELV centers be put in place, based in particular on good practices for reused parts.
Chance of the calendar, another measure will favor the evolution of the spare parts market. The manufacturers’ monopoly on so-called visible parts such as the mirrors, the hood or the bumper will come to an end. They will no longer be protected and all glass parts will be totally open to competition. A drop of 30 to 40% in the price of spare parts is expected.
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