Being in a car accident can leave you with a long list of worries. From speaking to your insurer to figuring out logistics, one question you may find yourself asking is: can I choose who repairs my car after an accident?
Your insurer may have a network of garages they recommend, but you still have the option to choose. In this guide, we look at your rights, the difference between using an insurance-approved repairer and choosing your own, and the implications of each.
Can I Choose Who Repairs My Car After An Accident?
You are free to choose who fixes your car after an accident, rather than using your insurer’s approved repairer.
However, your policy may set out different terms if you choose a garage outside your insurer’s network, such as a higher excess or different arrangements around the repair and courtesy car.
It’s therefore worth checking your policy and speaking to your insurer before arranging repairs yourself. This can help you understand whether there are any conditions attached to using your own repairer and whether you could be responsible for any additional costs.
What Does “Approved Repairer” Mean?
An approved repairer is a garage or body shop that has an agreement with an insurance company to carry out repairs for its customers.
These repairers typically work within arrangements agreed with insurers, which can include negotiated labour rates, parts, and repair processes. In return, the repairer may receive a regular stream of work from the insurer.
It’s also important to remember that being an insurer-approved repairer does not necessarily mean a garage holds manufacturer accreditation. If your vehicle is still under warranty or you want repairs carried out to a manufacturer’s standards, it’s worth checking what accreditations the repairer holds.
Insurer-Approved Repairers vs Your Own Choice
Your insurer may encourage you to use one of its approved repairers, but what are the benefits of this and what should you consider if you choose your own?
We’ve summarised the pros and cons of both options to help you feel more informed when making your decision.
What Are the Benefits and Downsides of Insurer-Approved Repairers?
Insurer-approved repairers can make the claims process more straightforward, particularly when it comes to arranging repairs and communicating with your insurer.
Some of the main benefits include:
- Reduced admin: Your insurer will often handle paperwork and billing arrangements, which can make the process simpler.
- Repair guarantees: Approved repairers may offer a guarantee on the work they carry out. Check what is covered and how long the guarantee lasts.
- Courtesy car: Depending on your policy, you may be offered a replacement or courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired.
- Agreed repair costs: Approved repairers typically work within rates agreed with the insurer, meaning you’re less likely to have to negotiate the repair cost yourself.
- Streamlined process: Because the repairer and insurer already have an established relationship, communication and claims handling can be more straightforward.
However, there are some potential downsides to consider:
- Non-original parts: Approved repairers could use different parts, which may be a downside if maintaining your vehicle’s original specification or resale value is important to you.
- Pressure to meet timescales: Insurers and approved garages sometimes have targets around how quickly repairs are completed. While this can help keep things efficient, it may mean fixes are rushed.
- Limited specialist knowledge: Your insurer’s approved network may not include a specialist in your particular make or model.
- Limited choice: You’ll generally be choosing from a short list of approved garages, which could mean travelling further for repairs.
If keeping things simple is your priority, an insurer-approved repairer can take a lot off your plate after an accident. However, you may have less control over who works on your vehicle and how the repairs are carried out.
What Are the Benefits and Downsides of Choosing Your Own Repairer?
Opting for your own garage or body shop could give you greater autonomy and control over the repair process.
Here are the main benefits:
- Greater control: Choosing your own garage gives you more say over how your vehicle is repaired, including the option to ask about original manufacturer parts.
- Trust: You can choose a repairer you already know and trust, or one with a strong reputation in your local area.
- Specialist repairs: You can select a repairer that specialises in your particular make and model.
- Direct communication: While choosing your own repairer may involve more admin, you’ll have a direct point of contact throughout the repair process.
However, there are some potential downsides:
- Additional excess: Check your policy, as some insurers may charge an additional excess if you choose a repairer outside their approved network.
- Potential additional costs: If your chosen repairer charges more than the rate your insurer is willing to pay, you may have to cover some or all of the difference.
- Loss of benefits: Depending on your policy, you may not receive the same benefits, such as a courtesy car or repair guarantee.
- More admin: You may need to coordinate quotes, estimates and communication between your chosen repairer and insurer yourself.
- Collection and delivery: Your insurer-approved repairer may offer vehicle collection or delivery, so you may need to arrange your own transport if this isn’t available with your chosen garage.
Choosing your own repairer can give you greater freedom and control. To make things easier, our car accident management service can handle everything from your initial claim through to the repair of your vehicle.
You can expect professional, admin-free support throughout the process, helping to get your car repaired and back on the road as quickly as possible.
Can I Repair My Car Myself After an Accident?
There’s no law preventing you from repairing your own car after an accident, so you can technically carry out repairs yourself if you have the necessary skills.
However, it’s important to check your insurance policy before reaching for the toolbox. Fixing anything yourself could leave you responsible for any resulting damage and may affect an insurance claim or warranty coverage.
It’s best to keep vehicle DIY to minor fixes you’re confident you can carry out safely. For anything more complex, we recommend leaving it to a qualified repairer.
Fault vs Non-Fault Accidents — Does It Change Your Rights?
Whether an accident is your fault or not does not change your legal right to choose who repairs your car, but it may impact the restrictions your insurer applies.
Here’s how it shifts:
If the Accident Was Your Fault
If you’re the at-fault driver, you’ll generally make a claim through your own insurance policy.
While your insurer cannot prevent you from choosing your own repairer, you may face additional excess, capped repair payouts, and a loss of benefits.
It’s therefore worth checking your policy before arranging repairs, so you know exactly what you’ll be responsible for.
If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you’ll be able to pursue the cost of repairs directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This means you can benefit from:
- No additional excess: The third-party insurance company cannot charge you an excess for using an unapproved garage.
- Choice of repairer: You can choose a repairer that you trust, rather than necessarily using the third-party insurer’s preferred network.
- Original parts: You can request original parts for your car and the third-party insurance should cover them.
- Credit repair and hire: You may have the option to use a credit repair or accident management service, who can arrange repairs and a replacement vehicle while seeking to recover the costs from the at-fault party’s insurer.
Choosing a Trusted Repairer in Liverpool
Have you recently been involved in an accident? Our team is committed to providing high-quality repairs and honest advice, guiding you through the process from start to finish.
We’re proud to be approved by some of the world’s leading car brands, including Volkswagen, Audi and BMW. This means our technicians work to manufacturer-approved repair standards, giving you confidence that your vehicle is in expert hands. You’ll also receive a Repair Authenticity Guarantee once your repair is complete, where applicable.
From your initial call through to collecting your vehicle, we’ll be here to make the repair process as straightforward as possible.
Get in touch with our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my insurer force me to use their approved repairer?
Your insurer may encourage you to use one of its approved repairers, but you are still able to choose your own garage. That said, your policy could include additional terms if you use a repairer outside the insurer’s network, such as a higher excess or loss of certain benefits. Before arranging repairs yourself, check your policy or speak to your insurer so you understand any costs or conditions that may apply.
Will I lose my courtesy car if I choose my own repairer?
Not necessarily, but it depends on your policy. Some insurers only provide a courtesy car when your vehicle is repaired by one of their approved repairers, while others may offer replacement vehicle cover under different terms. If having a courtesy car is important to you, check your policy before choosing your own repairer so you know what you’re entitled to.
What’s the difference between an “approved” repairer and a “manufacturer-approved” repairer?
An insurer-approved repairer is a garage or body shop that has an agreement with an insurance company to carry out repairs for its customers. They work within the insurer’s agreed repair processes and rates.
A manufacturer-approved repairer has been approved by a specific vehicle manufacturer and will generally have to meet its requirements for equipment, training, repair methods and standards.
The two aren’t necessarily the same. A garage can be approved by an insurer without being approved by your vehicle’s manufacturer, so it’s worth checking what accreditations they hold if manufacturer-approved repairs are important to you.
