Insurer insisting on garage

[bridgland]

My wife had a small ding with another car and her insurers have mandated a particular body repair shop. So far we have been extremely unimpressed with them and they have been unable to respond as they said they would with estimates and dates to take the car in. Do we have to use the insurer's recommended repairers or can we request another body shop?

Thanks in advance

[Slidingpillar]

Read your policy. Insurers vary in the way they treat the use of non-approved repairers but they do often offer an incentive to use their approved one, hire car perhaps.

[bridgland]

I will double check the policy. Thanks.

[mikecassie]

You can insist on which ever repairer you wish but be prepared for the insurers to drag their heels when dealing with you, you might have to pay a larger excess or do without a loan car while your car is being repaired at a non approved repairer.

[daveinaravecave]

Your insurer will likely have more than one available. You might have to take it a bit further away, but if the garage they offered isn't doing the job then why wait about.

Why don't you phone your insurer and ask? A phone call takes a few minutes to get the answer. Your insurer is there to help you, not wriggle out of paying claims.

[shep1001]

Read your policy documents for the answer. Generally they don't specify a particular repairer although some of the cheaper end of the market do. More commonly you will find there is a higher excess to pay if you don't use their approved repairer. Whatever happens make sure it goes somewhere that is competent to repair the type of vehicle you have for example if it has aluminium body panels.

A good illustration of why cheaper is not always better when it comes to insurance. Hope you get it sorted.

Edited by shep1001 on Wednesday 9th July 22:34