Choice of Repairers
To satisfy the policyholder the repairers should usually be
a firm of his own choice. Trouble may arise if the insurers
insist on employing a particular firm against the policyholder’s
wishes.
It is fairly common these days for a car insurance company
to have a network of approved repairers throughout the UK
and to automatically assign them to a claim via email and
EDI. Car Insurance companies are increasingly establishing
networks of repairers and garages whose work and charging
structures they have pre-approved. If you are involved in
a accident, check your policy documents to see whether your
insurance company maintains a list of approved repairers.
Some companies even have their own repair centres.
When making a claim the insurance company
should tell you where to take your car if you need work done,
and you will probably not be able to take your vehicle to
a garage of your choice.
Don't worry if you own a new car
and are still within the warranty period, most manufacturer
garages will inspect the work once it's been completed and
confirm whether it's up to the correct standard. They will
then stamp your warranty card to approve the work.
It is not uncommon for disputes to arise on this point. For
example, the insured may have purchased an expensive foreign
car from a specialist firm of dealers who added a number of
accessories/modifications at the insured’s request at
the time of the sale and the insured may genuinely feel that
they ‘know’ his car better than anyone else could
and that only they, in consequence, should be entrusted with
the repairs.
If the repair estimate quoted by that firm is substantially
higher than that obtainable elsewhere and the insurers are
satisfied that the alternative repairers will perform the
work just as well as the ‘specialists’, the only
way out of the impasse may be a compromise whereby the insurers
agree to have the repairs performed at the garage nominated
by the insured, but only on the condition that the insured
pays a part of the difference between the two estimates.
The insurer’s main concern is that the repairers should
be competent and, where the vehicle is disabled by the accident,
that a long
distance tow should be avoided. The insurers endeavour
to avoid employing repairers with whom they have had previous
difficulties, or who consistently overcharge. Although most
car insurers have schemes with nominated and approved repairers
to whom the vehicle is sent, these schemes can vary considerably.
Repairs by Car Makers and Manufacturers
Occasionally, and especially with high value cars, the policyholder
insists that the makers carry out the repairs. This guarantees
the highest class of workmanship, but may not be economical.
Not only are the makers’
charges for repair higher than local costs, but the transit
charges must also be added. This method is, therefore, seldom
allowed unless repairs are too extensive for satisfactory
completion by local repairers, or if the vehicle is of a rare
or valuable type.
Alternatively, the vehicle may be an expensive
foreign model and the manufacturers may only have a limited
number of distribution outlets in the country. The chances
are that an ordinary, local, repairer would not be able to
perform the work satisfactorily and there may be no alternative
for the insurers but to agree to have the vehicle sent to
the manufacturer’s distributors for repair.
The occurrences of an accident may occasionally be looked
upon by the policyholder as a convenient opportunity for having
the vehicle completely overhauled by the manufacturers. If
so, the insurers usually agree to bear the makers’ charges
for the accidental damage repairs, leaving the policyholder
responsible for the remaining charges, including transit to
and from the works.
Specialist Repairers
There are specialists who work on a national scale, and others
who are to be found in every large town.
Those who work on a national scale specialise in welding and
in the repair or replacement of chassis frames, engine blocks,
radiators, bumpers and electrical equipment. Their work is
of high quality but costs less than the manufacturers themselves
would charge.
Local repairers avail themselves of these services, with the
result that most large-scale repairs are now carried out in
this way. Local firms confine themselves to stripping and
reassembling the vehicle and carrying out the minor repairs.
Local specialists perform a useful service as sub-contractors
to general repairers. They are employed mainly for coach building
and cellulose-spraying, and for making small spare parts which
are otherwise unobtainable. Some of the national specialists
also have branches in the larger towns, to which work is sent
direct by the local repairers.
The choice between using national or local specialist facilities
is governed by the plant and equipment which they possess
and by how long they will take to do the work. The national
specialists are often overloaded with work and time may be
saved by using local specialists.
In most cases the insurer’s engineer/assessor, with
his knowledge of repairers and their techniques and their
competence, is the person best placed to give advice, both
to the insurer and to the insured, on this subject.
Car Insurance Claims Frequently
asked questions
What
should I do if I have an accident
Where
can I find an Accident Claims Solicitor
What is the role of
the Motor Insurers Bureau
What are Car Insurance Claims?
How is
the Claim Process controlled?
Fire
Theft & Acident claims explained
What is on
a Claim Form?
How do
I know I'm if I'm covered
Why
would a car insurance company deny liability?
What
is an Insurable Interest
How
do I go about getting the damage repaired?
What are approved
repairers?
Who pays
for towing charges?
What happens
if my car is a write off?
Who decides
my cars market value?
What
was the World's worst car insurance claim?
|
|
UK
Car Insurance Online
