I just had my first accident and it was on a 2008 leased CR-V. I didn't hit any cars (only a metal barrier). My car got smashed on the front left corner (below the lights). The airbag flew out and there is also something leaking. I left it at a body shop for now and will call my insurance company in the morning.

I am trying to decide between leaving it at the general body shop versus bringing it to a Honda-specific shop. Please let me know if you think one is better than the other. I am concerned that the regular body shop may use cheap parts and that they won't bring it to the original look (which I assume should be required for the lease).

If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know.

Thanks so much!

 

If the body shop has a license then there should be no reason that they can not fix your car properly. Hondas are the easiest cars to work on.
If you are going to be paying for this out of your pocket, the quality of parts then falls upon your shoulders. There is a price difference between new OEM and aftermarket Capa certified parts, even LKQ parts. That is something you would decide with the shop.
If you involve insurance then the parts used will be based upon your coverage. If your coverage states that aftermarket bumpers are to be used if they are available then that is what you are going to get. You could always pay the difference yourself though ontop of your deductable.

 

Thanks!

My insurance will be paying for this. A few more questions...

(1) Can you briefly explain what OEM, Capa, and LKQ mean and how they differ?
(2) What would stop the mechanic from saying that he will use one of the new, high quality parts but then actually using cheap pieces?

 

OEM is original equipment manufacturer wich means for you HONDA parts.
Capa is a certiication for aftermarket parts, supposedly guranteed to fit and I use the term fit loosely.
LKQ is Like kind and quality. Wich is just a way of saying used parts that are refurbished or not.
Since you have an 08 they may not even have LKQ or Capa(aftermerket) parts available for the car. You never know though.
As for question number 2. The only thing stopping them from using a part that they told you they would use and then not by substituting would be Insurance Fraud.
A person can not charge you for something that they are not going to do or sell you.
I would not worry about that though. This type of thing does not happen alot anymore. Most places that work with insurance companys right now do not want to even take the chance of loosing bussiness right now.