APPROVED/RECOMMENDED OR A SELECTED REPAIRERS SCHEME

Insurers often operate “approved, recommended or selected repairer schemes”. These take the form of a list of garages or a telephone helpline service to put in touch with a garage with which the insurer has a special relationship.

You may wish to take note of your insurer’s advice, but you should remember that it is your vehicle which is being repaired and under the terms of your insurance policy, you will have the right to choose where you want your vehicle repaired. If your vehicle insurance has been arranged through an insurance broker, you may need to contact them in order to find out the precise details of you policy and cover.

ESTIMATE/QUOTATION 

Under the terms of most insurance polices, only one repair estimate is required. Some insurers may ask you to obtain more than one estimate, BUT THIS IS NOT NECESSARY. If you are asked to obtain more than one estimate, you may wish to remind your insurer or broker that you do not want to be put to the inconvenience of having obtain alternative estimates when in fact custom and practice dictates that only one estimate is required. Ultimately the final cost will be agreed by the engineer representing the insurance company.

INSURANCE EXCESS

When you bought your motor policy you may have agreed with your insurer to pay “EXCESS” in order to reduce the cost of the premium, or because of your driving record. “Excess” therefore applies to that part of the claim for which you are uninsured and is usually payable upon collection of your vehicle.

The final account to your insurer is reduced by the appropriate amount, but you maybe able to recover the “Excess” equivalent from the party responsible for the accident or their insurer.

BETTERMENT

Most insurance polices provide for your vehicle to be repaired to its pre-accident condition. This will involve the replacement of damaged parts with new ones in most cases unless the damage can be rectified. Sometimes, however, it will be necessary to replace part-worn items such as tyres or exhaust systems, and your insurer may then seek a contribution towards the cost of new parts. This is called “Betterment” and the sum involved which is decided by your insurer will usually have to be paid upon collection of your repaired vehicle.

COLLECTION NOTE  

Most insurers ask for a “Collection Note” to be signed after completion of the repairs. This document, provided by us or your insurer for you to sign, is then passed to the insurer in order that the repair account can be processed. Signing a “collection note” in no way affects your statutory rights.

GUARANTEE

In addition to maintaining the vehicle warranty ( where appropriate) we offer a full 3 year guarantee on the repair. There will usually be some form of conditions and or exclusions which is perfectly normal, and you may wish to ask for a written copy of our guarantee for your future reference.

VEHICLE ANTI-PERFORATION WARRANTY

In most cases all repair work is fully guaranteed and complies to motor manufacturers specifications. Your warranty should remain unaffected.

VAT

If you or the owner of the vehicle are registered for VAT purposes and the vehicle is used for business purposes, the VAT content of the repair bill must be paid by you, not the insurer, usually upon collection of your repaired vehicle. The VAT can then be set against your output tax and recovered in the normal way through your VAT return.

If you are not registered for VAT or if the vehicle is not used for business, your insurer will accept responsibility for the full account less any contributions such as “excess” and “ betterment”.

NON-FAULT ACCIDENTS

If the accident was not your fault it may be possible to make a claim directly from the other party. Please refer to “But the accident wasn’t my fault” section of this website.  

GENERAL ADVICE 

Check your insurance cover now, including the small print, before you need to make a claim. Your insurance company needs to be notified of any change to your details, failure to do so may affect your claim. When comparing insurance policies ensure you are comparing like with like. If an uninsured driver crashes into your vehicle, you will have to make a claim under your own policy, unless you pay for the repairs yourself. If you make a claim under your own policy then you may lose your no-claims bonus, even if the accident was not your fault.

COURTESY CARS AND VANS

Regardless of what your insurer may tell you, we will be happy to loan you a courtesy vehicle while we carry out the repairs for you. We are normally able to supply a courtesy vehicle within 24 hours, terms and conditions will usually apply.

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

Should you have the misfortune to be involved in an accident, stay calm and make sure you do not admit liability. Inform the police if there are any injuries and be prepared to provide your name, address and vehicle registration number to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring the information.

• Do not admit liability
• Warn other motorists, avoid the risk of further accidents or injury by warning other road users of the hazard.
• Be prepared to provide your name and address (and that of the vehicle owner if different) and vehicle registration number to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring this information.
• Record details of date, time and location of accident, traffic and weather conditions.
• Make a note of any other drivers involved, together with their vehicle details, also names and details of any witnesses.

If you would like to download this useful guide then click here.