If you've recently brought your car in for collision work, there's a piece of New York legislation worth knowing about. The 2026 NY Repair Disclosure Act is changing how auto body repair shops communicate with vehicle owners across the state. At Spectrum Auto Inc., we believe an informed customer is a confident one. Here's a clear breakdown of what this law means, why it exists, and what it means for your next repair visit.
Why This Law Exists
For years, New York vehicle owners had no real say in what parts went into their repaired cars. An insurance company would approve a repair, the shop would complete the work, and the owner would drive off. Most of the time, they had no idea whether genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts or cheaper alternatives went on their vehicle.
That's the gap the 2026 legislation directly fills.
Assemblyman William Magnarelli, who sponsored Assembly Bill A75, put it plainly. The bill has two goals: make sure customers know when aftermarket parts go on their vehicles, and make sure insurers pay for OEM parts on newer cars. The broader aim is stopping insurance companies from pushing substandard repairs on customers who don't know the difference.
What the Law Requires
These requirements apply to any licensed motor vehicle repair shop in New York. Before collision work begins, shops must now:
- Give customers a written disclosure form listing all planned replacement crash parts
- Get the customer's signed consent before installing any non-OEM components
- Classify all parts clearly as OEM, "new aftermarket," "recycled/recyclable," or "remanufactured"
- Use only new OEM parts on vehicles in their first three years of manufacture, no exceptions
Insurers carry new obligations too. No insurer can push for a specific type of replacement part without disclosing that decision to the vehicle owner first. That's a meaningful guardrail, and frankly, it's one that's been a long time coming.
What Counts as a "Replacement Crash Part"
The law doesn't only cover major structural pieces. It covers doors, fenders, bumpers, and panels made from sheet metal, plastic, fiberglass, or similar materials. Basically, the exterior components most commonly damaged in a collision all fall under this rule.
One thing worth clarifying: not all aftermarket parts are poor quality. Some perform just fine. The law isn't banning them. It's making sure you get a say before anyone installs them. That distinction matters quite a bit.
How Your Repair Experience Changes
When you bring your car to a trusted auto body repair shop in New City, the intake process now includes a disclosure form. You'll review and sign it before any work starts. That form covers three things:
- What parts the shop plans to use and how those parts are categorized
- Whether your vehicle qualifies for mandatory OEM parts based on its age
- Your explicit consent for any non-OEM components going on your car
If the form doesn't line up with what you were told at the counter, ask questions. If a shop skips the form entirely, that's a red flag. The whole point of this law is to create a paper trail that protects you as the vehicle owner.
Dealing With Your Insurance Company
Insurance coordination is where things get complicated. Some insurers have historically pushed repairs toward cheaper aftermarket parts to cut claim costs. The new law puts a stop to that by requiring insurers to disclose parts decisions to the owner before work gets underway.
There's another protection built in. If non-OEM crash parts turn out to be ill-fitting and need extra labor or materials during installation, the insurer covers those additional costs. That removes a financial incentive that drove lower-quality repairs for years.
Handling an insurance claim mid-repair can still feel like a lot to manage. Working with a shop that advocates on your behalf makes the whole process significantly easier.
Spectrum Auto Inc.: Your Trusted Repair Partner in New York
Spectrum Auto Inc. has served New York drivers for over 30 years. As a trusted auto body repair shop in New City and surrounding areas, the team brings I-CAR® Platinum certified technicians to every job. The shop also holds the I-CAR® Gold Class designation, a standard only a small percentage of shops nationwide achieve.
Services cover everything New York drivers need:
- Collision repair and frame straightening
- Full paint and color matching
- Paintless dent repair
- Glass and windshield repair
- Tesla-certified auto body work
The team works directly with all major insurance carriers and handles the disclosure requirements the new law introduces. As a leading collision repair shop in New City, Spectrum Auto's commitment to transparency and OEM-quality repairs already aligns with what the 2026 legislation calls for. Customers don't have to figure this out alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the 2026 NY Repair Disclosure Act apply to all repair shops in New York?
Yes. Every licensed motor vehicle repair shop in New York State that handles collision repairs must follow these requirements. Shop size and location make no difference.
2. Can I still choose aftermarket parts to manage costs?
Yes. The law is about giving you a choice, not removing one. You can agree to aftermarket, recycled, or remanufactured parts. You just need to know that's what's going in before the shop starts work. For vehicles in their first three years of manufacture, OEM parts are required regardless of cost preferences.
3. What happens if a shop skips the disclosure process?
The shop opens itself to regulatory action under New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law. If you believe a shop didn't follow proper disclosure procedures, you can file a complaint with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles' Consumer Assistance Unit.
4. How can I confirm the parts on my car are genuinely OEM?
Check your signed disclosure form. It should list the part type explicitly. OEM parts carry the vehicle manufacturer's branding and part numbers. Before installation, ask the shop to show you the parts. Any reputable shop will do that without hesitation.
