Insurance claim (non fault) - do I have to accept an insurers choice of repair shop?

[scala]

Hi folks,

Long story short - some idiot reversed into me yesterday. Damage to my car was minimal thankfully (scuffed / scratched paint and a big dent in my Renault badge). He has admitted fault (with the roads being so quiet recently he didn't think it was necessary to check his mirrors before reversing). Anyway, his insurer Admiral was in touch within the hour and agreed to cover the costs of all the repairs, which would be done by a company called Auto Fix.

My question is - do I have to accept their choice of repair shop? Looking at Trust Pilot reviews - they don't seem to be all that.

Thanks in advance
G.

 

[Jack!]

No, you don't. I'd go through your insurer. The other parties insurer want to take care of it because then they can be in control of the costs, rather than being billed by your insurer.

Someone went in to the back of me a couple of months ago, didn't break anything, just a print of his bumper on mine, by the time my insurer was all done with it they billed his insurer for over 20k. Mental how much they can get away with.

 

[scala]

Christ - over 20K? I'm guessing it wasn't a Renault he hit. Thing is if I go through my insurer can I tell them I want the work done by a Renault dealer? It's mainly paint touch-up - but they would probably a re-spray of the entire front bumper. Not sure what to do really.

 

[Jack!]

Christ - over 20K? I'm guessing it wasn't a Renault he hit. Thing is if I go through my insurer can I tell them I want the work done by a Renault dealer? It's mainly paint touch-up - but they would probably a re-spray of the entire front bumper. Not sure what to do really.

Not a Renault, an Audi TTS, but hardly an expensive car, it probably worth about 10k at the time. It may have included all the court fees etc, but I guess if you go through the other parties insurer they don't have to pay for any of that stuff so it saves them money.

 

[Martin_172]

I wouldn't let a Renault dealer anywhere near my car with a paint gun, bad enough letting them loose with a spanner 😂

 

[scala]

Not a Renault, an Audi TTS, but hardly an expensive car, it probably worth about 10k at the time. It may have included all the court fees etc, but I guess if you go through the other parties insurer they don't have to pay for any of that stuff so it saves them money.

Personally I don't care how much it costs I just want the job done properly. I don't really agree with shafting people with unnecessary costs, but appreciate that's how the industry works, sadly. You're assassin must a received a nice renewal quote the following year.

 

[1985michael182]

You can choose any repairer you want and because you are the 3rd party and innocent party Admiral isnt your own insurer they cant do s**t about it.
They want you to use their approved repairer because they will have an SLA Service Level Agreement/contract with that Bodyshop 'Autofix' where they have agreed costs and hourly rates.
But you as the customer/victim can take it anywhere you want to. You want to be looking for a Kite Marked Bodyshop with ATA body technicians with British standards (just like a builder has) doesnt mean their paint work is perfect though so check the reviews but it will be repaired to manufacturer methods.

If Admiral was your insurer though for example and they wanted you to go to Autofix and you said no it's going to Joe Blogs Bodyshop BSI certified they will try and scare monger you saying if you take it there we cant warrant it and we may charge you double XS and you wont get a courtesy car it's still your choice. The Bodyshop will warrant the repair, more than likely supply the courtesy car and unless Admiral made you aware or the XS doubling before verbally agreeing to the insurance contract then they cant charge you for it.

If it's a new vehicle and within its paint /corrosion warranty still you want to take it to a Renault approved Bodyshop to maintain your warranty on the panels repaired.

I work for BMW I'm a senior ATA panel tech and the workshop controller and we see this s**t from insurance companies every day! Admiral are one if the worst for scamming people like this and horrible to work with.
We supply CC and we warrant all our work for aslong as the customer owns the car. BMW/mini get their own warranty through the BMW schemes.

Short answer, you can take it anywhere you want m8. Get a quote let admiral know and let them crack on fixing it.

 

[scala]

Good post 1985michael182. My car is 5 years old. I bought it used from Renault and it has a years warranty, although not sure if paint is covered, so I need to review my paperwork. The company who Admiral has appointed to do the work are actually a specialist coach-works company, which surprised me. I've spoken to the guys there, their reviews look good and examples of there work floating around on the internet look quite impressive. They have the BSI Kite Mark on their website. The company is called JS Coachworks (based in Forest Hill).