Does anyone know this answer please?

denyse_marston

last week I accidentally reversed (slowly) into a 'friends' car, the result was a dent and a scratch, he has a skoda octavia. I said I would pay to have the repair done. The next day he took it to a main dealer,stating it was an insurance claim and got a quote for £1232! I suggested he get 3 quotes, which he has refused to do.

My question is do I have to accept his choice of repairer? and is it true that garages have a price for insurance companies and one for cash payments?

Any advice?

denyse_marston

Actually Sir, I never suggested I was not responsible, however I ask because my daughter had a similar situation a couple of weeks ago and the guilty party's insurer made her go to their choice of garage, so effectively what is the difference?

andygb

denyse_marston wrote: »

Actually Sir, I never suggested I was not responsible, however I ask because my daughter had a similar situation a couple of weeks ago and the guilty party's insurer made her go to their choice of garage, so effectively what is the difference?

The guilty party's insurer can not insist that you do anything. It is up to the insurer of the aggrieved party to decide where the damage should be repaired, assuming of course that liability has been admitted.
If I was your "friend", I would have put it through the insurance company, and you would have had to admit liability and therefore face the consequences.

denyse_marston

I think I need to explain more in light of the response I got!
,
I rang the repairer as the estimate only stated labour costs but no estimated hours. They told me the hours estimated were 19 hours, then I asked what was the hourly labour charge they said £28 plus VAT/hour, when in fact their estimate just said £795 plus VAT (this works out at over £41/hour) and I originally also asked if it was true that garages have different prices for insurance companies and private cash payers. Please do not interpret my post as my wishing to 'dictate' on this matter as that is not my intention, I merely asked a question and would appreciate answers from persons qualified to answer.

bubblegum26

This is your friend.... best not to upset them more than he probably is at u hitting his car.... do the right thing report to your insurance and let them deal with it, you'll have to suffer the excess but hey ho maybe next time u'l drive a bit more carefully.

denyse_marston

oh and by the way the repairer he has chosen is not the approved repairer of his insurance company as he is refusing to go there because he fell out with them on an earlier repair which he did himself.

denyse_marston

So answer the question please why my daughter had to accept the 'guilty party's choice' and for those of you who commented, I did inform my insurers and suggestions of how I drive in future are not in line with the question asked which was - Is it true garages quote different prices, I am not unhappy with his choice just that he told them it was an insurance job when it was not.

neilmcl

denyse_marston wrote: »

oh and by the way the repairer he has chosen is not the approved repairer of his insurance company as he is refusing to go there because he fell out with them on an earlier repair which he did himself.

So what! Even if it went via the insurance co. they cannot insist on him using their approved repairers.

denyse_marston wrote: »

So answer the question please why my daughter had to accept the 'guilty party's choice'

She didn't have to accept, she just did because she didn't know any better.

At the end of the day if you don't want to pay what your friend has quoted then you have the option of informing your insurer and let them deal with it. And btw I think you'll find you are required to inform them of the accident regardless.

denyse_marston

I think andygb post said It is up to the insurer of the aggrieved party to decide where the damage should be repaired, assuming of course that liability has been admitted.

I think I will end this thread now as my question has not been answered here.

vikingaero

denyse_marston wrote: »

So answer the question please why my daughter had to accept the 'guilty party's choice' and for those of you who commented, I did inform my insurers and suggestions of how I drive in future are not in line with the question asked which was - Is it true garages quote different prices, I am not unhappy with his choice just that he told them it was an insurance job when it was not.

If you have an accident, some Insurers send out a letter telling you to use their repairers and hire car scheme to save costs. Some Insurers word their letters so that they appear threatening and full of legal speak and that you feel compelled to do so.

For instance Admiral Group say something along the lines of "you have a duty to minimise repair and hire car costs. We can repair the car on your behalf and provide you with a hire car..." or words to that effect.

A garage will quote different prices for Insurers. A private job will normally be cheaper - with no hire car provided and you pay them on collection.

An Insurer will have trade rates pared to the bone, the repairer will need to provide a hire car, the garage will wait months to be paid, sometimes there may be a 3 year warranty on the paintwork or in extreme cases a lifetime ownership warranty on the repaired paint. All this means that Insurance claims are bumped up to cover the costs.

denyse_marston

Just a final note.
1. I did inform my insurance - I did actually know I had to.
2. I am not unhappy with his choice of repairer.
3. My question of different rates has not been answered
4. I have every intention of putting it right to his satisfaction - your replies seem to be indicating that I am in some way dishonest and frankly it is insulting.