A car crash can be extremely scary, no matter how big or small it is. Going in blind to the claims and repair processes that come after can make the situation feel even more stressful.
Knowing exactly how body shops work with car insurance, from the initial insurance report to the moment your vehicle is safely returned to you, removes the anxiety of the unknown. Plus, you’ll be able to advocate for better service and care for both yourself and your car.
In this blog, we’ll cover exactly how both independent and insurer-approved body shops work with your insurance and the benefits of each to help you choose the best one for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to How Body Shops Work with Your Insurer
In the initial moments after a car accident, the most important part is to ensure you’re unharmed. Any work with the repairs or the insurer can wait until you’re home safe and sound.
Once you’re in a safe place, you can use this step-by-step guide to see what you can expect from the claim and repairs, as well as how the body shop will work with your insurer.
1- Report the Accident to Your Insurer
After the car accident, the first thing you need to do is report the crash to your insurer within the first 24 hours of the incident.
While there is a time limit, you don’t need to report it immediately. In fact, it’s best to wait until you’re home, safe, and in a more relaxed state of mind. Once you’re ready, give your insurer a call to explain what happened.
Make sure to check with your insurer for deadlines, as some give you more time to report it to them. However, try not to leave it too late, as the earlier you report, the fresher the events will be in your mind.
EXPERT TIP: Write down the events as you recall them before calling your insurance, as this can help you recount them accurately when you’re on the phone.
2- Insurer Opens a Claim
Once your insurer is notified of the accident, they’ll open a claim in your name to start the liability and repair process.
At this stage, they’ll document all the information given to them, building a full picture of what happened to help the liability team decide who is at fault. Generally, they’ll ask you for the following details:
- Location of crash
- Date and time of crash
- Number of passengers (excluding driver)
- Details of the other car involved, e.g., registration, phone number, name
- Any third-party witnesses
- Any independent witnesses
If you have any evidence from the crash, such as dash cam footage, photos, or CCTV, they’ll ask you to upload it to your online profile.
3- Choose Your Body Shop
Now the claim is open and the investigation has begun, you can look at body shops that can repair the damage to your car.
Your insurer will have at least one pre-approved garage that they generally advise customers to take their car to. However, you don’t need to go with their suggested body shop.
Ultimately, the decision is completely up to you as to which body shop your car is sent to for repairs. While your insurer may prefer you to go with the garage they’ve picked, you are legally allowed to go elsewhere.
EXPERT TIP: Always do your own research into the insurer’s pre-approved garage before agreeing to send your car there – customer reviews, photos, wait times.
4- Repair Team Inspect Your Car
Happy with the body shop you’ve chosen? Your car will now be sent to the garage, where a quote on the cost of the job can be prepared for your insurer.
If your car is safe to drive, you may drive it to the garage yourself. For cars that are unsafe to drive on the road due to damage, your insurer or garage will arrange for a tow truck to collect it from wherever it is – your home, site of the crash, or a holding lot.
Depending on your insurance policy and whether you went with the insurer-approved garage or an independent one, you may have to cover the cost of the tow yourself.
In any case, both approved and independent body shops need to inform your insurer of the estimated repair cost before any work can actually begin on your car.
5- Insurer Receives a Quote
Once your insurer has received the quote from the body shop, they’ll either approve or reject it depending on the cost.
Insurers will approve most repairs, meaning your car can be fixed and returned to you once the job is completed. In certain cases, the car may be written off, meaning the insurer has decided it’s too unsafe or not cost-effective to repair.
Generally, if the damage quote exceeds 50% to 70% of the vehicle’s value or the car is no longer safe to drive, your insurer may write the car off – exact figures vary between insurers.
When insurers write off cars, they’ll offer you a price to buy them. In most cases, this will be the car’s current market value.
EXPERT TIP: If your car is written off but still repairable, you can seek a second opinion to challenge the decision.
6- Repairs Begin
When your insurer has given your chosen body shop the go-ahead on the cost of the job, they’ll start processing your vehicle to prepare it for the repairs.
How long the job takes depends on how busy the garage is and the extent of the car’s damage. For example, minor cosmetic damage like dents or scratches may only take a few days, whereas structural or mechanical repairs will take longer.
Your garage should be able to give you an estimate of how long they expect the repair to take. However, you can get in touch with them throughout the process for updates on your car’s status.
7- Car is Returned, Invoice Settled
Job done! At this stage, your car is fully repaired and ready to be returned to you, meaning you can get back on the road.
While it’s rare, if you notice any damage to your car that wasn’t there before the crash or caused by it, make sure to inform your insurer. They have a duty to ensure your car is repaired to the highest possible standard.
If your car was sent to an independent repair team, it’s their responsibility to look after it. As such, you should call them directly to resolve any damage, not your insurer.
Do Body Shops Report Damage to Your Insurer?
Yes, body shops need to report any damage to your insurer, as they’ll need approval before beginning any repairs. However, this changes if you go for an out-of-pocket repair.
With an out-of-pocket repair, you arrange and pay for the fix in full, meaning the body shop doesn’t need to inform your insurer. You’ll still need to report the incident to your insurance, though, as failing to do so can violate your policy terms.
If you go through your insurance for the repair, the body shop will let them know about the damage caused during the incident, but they won’t discuss your repair history.
Should I Use My Insurer’s Body Shop or My Own?
It’s entirely up to you whether you use your insurer’s suggested body shop or go with one of your own choosing.
In fact, it’s your legal right to choose a garage that you feel comfortable sending your car to. If that’s not the one your insurer provides, then you’re allowed to find one of your own – insurers aren’t allowed to force you to go with theirs.
Choosing which one to go with isn’t always easy. With insurer garages, you get convenient repairs, but an independent repair offers more control over your car. Knowing the benefits of each will help you decide which way to go.
Below, we’ve broken down the benefits of using an independent garage or the one your insurer prefers.
Benefits of Using an Independent Body Shop
With no ties to your insurer, an independent body shop will provide an unbiased opinion on what repair is best for your vehicle, allowing you to make the right decision for you.
In fact, many independent shops are manufacturer-trained, meaning you can go with technicians who are specialised in repairing your exact car make. For luxury brands like BMW, Audi, Tesla, or Mercedes, such make-specific repairs are a huge bonus.
Plus, an independent body shop will liaise directly with your insurance on your behalf to discuss estimates and documentation, saving you time and stress.
To explore all the benefits of using an independent body shop, check out our handy table below.
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Benefits of Using an Independent Body Shop |
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Greater flexibility on parts used |
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No conflict of interest |
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Independent of your insurer |
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Direct relationship with the technician working on your car |
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Best repairs are prioritised |
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Direct liaising with your insurer |
What We Recommend: If you’re unsure about the provider suggested by your insurer or have a luxury make, looking into an independent body shop may be a worthwhile option to consider. For those with luxury model cars, opting for a manufacturer-approved garage can offer a bit more comfort.
Benefits of Using an Insurance-Approved Body Shop
Insurer-approved body shops often offer convenience and a guaranteed minimum quality standard, which is reassuring for many customers.
When you accept the garage suggested by your insurance, you can rely on them to take care of any repairs that aren’t up to standard. For example, should your car be returned with damage that wasn’t there prior, your insurance will take this up with the repairer on your behalf.
See the other benefits of going with an insurance-approved body shop for repairs in the table below.
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Benefits of Using an Insurance-Approved Body Shop |
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Greater flexibility on parts used |
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No conflict of interest |
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Independent of your insurer |
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Direct relationship with the technician working on your car |
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Best repairs are prioritised |
|
Direct liaising with your insurer |
What We Recommend: If you’re happy with the body shop suggested by your insurance and want quick repairs with little involvement on your side, insurer-approved body shops are best.
AutoCare Repair Centre Puts You First with Quick, Transparent Repairs
Here at AutoCare Repair Centre, we give you our honest advice, meaning you can make an informed decision on the right steps for you.
As a 5-star independent body shop in Liverpool, you can trust our repairs to be of the highest standards. Plus, with excellent, expert customer service, we’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have to put your mind at ease.
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, we want to help. Get in touch with us today to discuss our car accident management services. Give us a call on 0151 345 5800 or fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch.
