Can I choose my own car body shop for accident repair?

Being involved in a car accident can cause you quite a lot of stress, particularly with many of us relying on our cars to get to work or go about our lives. One of your main concerns immediately after an accident will be how to go about getting your vehicle repaired, particularly if the accident wasn’t your fault. Your insurance company will often try to suggest their preferred repairer, as they will likely receive a reduced rate, however, did you know you are within your rights to choose your preferred repair shop to ensure a high-quality repair? Find out how the process works.

What happens when you have an accident?

In the aftermath of an accident involving another driver, if the collision was no fault of your own you will need to claim with the insurance company of the other driver involved. It can be frustrating to communicate with their insurance company to discuss the claim you are making and get the right value for the damage caused to your vehicle. The third-party insurer will want to protect their interests, so it is likely they will attempt to direct you towards their preferred insurer to carry out repairs. Insurers tend to have a network of garages that they will use for car body repairs, where they will enjoy a reduced rate because of their existing relationship.

What should you do after an accident?

Once your accident has taken place and you are in contact with the third-party insurer, it’s important to not feel pressured and go with their suggested repair shop. It’s your legal right to choose who repairs your car, regardless of whether you are making a claim for it or not. Whether you are using your own insurer or a third party, they must still pay out for repair expenses even if you opt for a different repair shop. This means you can pick a garage you trust and know will do a good job, saving you travelling out of your way to your insurer’s chosen repairer.

Will my insurer raise my excess?

Although they may claim to be, your insurer isn’t always on your side and will always look after their interests to make as much money as possible. Your insurer cannot raise your excess for choosing your own repair shop. It’s not uncommon for them to try, but it is against the law to raise your excess for this reason, so you should remind them of this if they try to influence your decision. You may be worried that this will slow down the time taken to process your claim, however using a competent repair shop that is used to handling insurance claims should ensure that there is no hold up. You can get back on the road as quickly as possible.

At Autosport Customs, we make sure it’s easy for our customers to arrange accident repairs, whether they are non-fault or at fault. We can take care of the process on your behalf, dealing with the insurance company and protecting your no claims if you were in an accident that wasn’t your fault. To speak to us regarding repairs, give us a call on 01892 890096 or email info@autosportcustoms.com.