Choosing your own repairer

[ChrisKnottIns]

Choosing your own repairer.

Hi,

I was contacted recently by one of the clubs we work with. They were concerned about the issue of 'approved repairers' and they wanted to know what our insurer partners' stance would be.

Clearly, most car club members wouldn't want just anyone repairing their pride & joy - you probably have a preferred bodyshop in mind already as you're reading this. And this is where the issue lies.

If you have an accident and want to use your preferred bodyshop over the insurer's approved repairer, can you do it without penalty?

We've heard that some insurers make it difficult by doubling the excess or not using genuine OEM parts. That's not what you want!

I checked with our main insurers and they are very accommodating. They recognise that car enthusiasts like you will be more interested in who the repairer is and whether any parts are pattern or genuine. 

So I'm pleased to confirm that you are able to request that your preferred bodyshop is used. Where there's no reason not to use them i.e. they are not majorly uncompetitive, the insurers on our panel will be happy to accommodate your request.

There will be NO increased excess and, wherever possible, the use of genuine parts will be approved.

The only slight downside when you choose your own garage is that the insurers can't control whether your repairer has a courtesy car available. But I guess for many of you your club car is not your main vehicle and if that is a problem it's still possible they will have one available for you - it just can't be guaranteed by your insurer.

If you like the sound of having the freedom to choose your own repairer please call us for your car insurance quote on 0800 917 2274.

And don't forget, if you request your quote before 30/11 you'll be in with a chance to WIN a £250 AMAZON VOUCHER in time for Christmas, courtesy of the Chris Knott 'Awesome Autumn' Prize Draw.

best,
Nick

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[Rusty2009]

The thing I find is the “approved repairers” bump up the costs of repair costing the insurance company more money.

And the courtesy car issue, the courtesy car in many cases isn’t supplied by the “approved repairer” it’s supplied via a 3rd party which the insurance company use.

They like to use the you can have your car repaired anywhere you like but if it’s not an “approved repairer” then your have no courtesy car.


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[Big Dave2]

One of my previous insurers said that if I used my own repairer, (which ironically was on their approved list, but tried sending me elsewhere) said that the work wouldn't be guaranteed for 3 yrs if I used them and not the one they tried insisting on me using.
Also, for the courtesy car, Enterprise Rental would have to pick me up from my home address and take me to their office, which was 20 miles away so as to complete the paperwork before I could have it. Then I would have to return it to their office to sign off the paperwork and then be taken home by one of their drivers. I ended up using one of the jalopies that my local and trusted bodyshop had available. A 2006 Daewoo Matiz. It started, stopped, had an engine, and got me to work and back for the couple of days the bodyshop needed my car. Sod the faffing about with Enterprise Rental which would have taken me the best part of 2 hours of my time just to pick up the car, and another 2 hours to return it again.

[ChrisKnottIns]

One of my previous insurers said that if I used my own repairer, (which ironically was on their approved list, but tried sending me elsewhere) said that the work wouldn't be guaranteed for 3 yrs if I used them and not the one they tried insisting on me using.
Also, for the courtesy car, Enterprise Rental would have to pick me up from my home address and take me to their office, which was 20 miles away so as to complete the paperwork before I could have it. Then I would have to return it to their office to sign off the paperwork and then be taken home by one of their drivers. I ended up using one of the jalopies that my local and trusted bodyshop had available. A 2006 Daewoo Matiz. It started, stopped, had an engine, and got me to work and back for the couple of days the bodyshop needed my car. Sod the faffing about with Enterprise Rental which would have taken me the best part of 2 hours of my time just to pick up the car, and another 2 hours to return it again.

Quite