Car Insurance Repairs - Approved Repairer.. Or Not?

adamc260

What would you do in the event of a claim if you had a new, or nearly new car?

Would you allow your insurers 'Approved Repairer' to deal with the repairs OR would you ask for it to be a local garage you know of OR would you ask for the main dealer (or manufacturer) to repair it?

Reason I ask... I've just ordered a brand new car (my first ever) and god forbid anything happens the thought of shipping it off to an approved repairer after hearing SO many horror stories does worry me a bit.. so wondering if I should pay the extra and just get the insurance via the manufacturers insurance scheme and at least I know should anything happen they'll look after my new baby!

mikey72

Main dealer only, no-one else.
You can insist it's repaired there normally, with most, but not all, policies.
There are a few insurers, the cheap and cheerful ones, that have it in the t&c's that you have to use their repairer only, others have a higher excess if you don't.

adamc260

mikey72 wrote: »

Main dealer only, no-one else.
You can insist it's repaired there normally, with most, but not all, policies.
There are a few insurers, the cheap and cheerful ones, that have it in the t&c's that you have to use their repairer only, others have a higher excess if you don't.

Aye, well i'm with Aviva at the moment and I know its an extra £200 to use a NON AR which doesnt bother me... the bit that bothers me is how long they will take to agree the repairs etc etc...

Going with the main dealers insurance scheme is quite a bit more so Im trying to perhaps find a compromise somewhere in between with a company like LV= who i'd imagine are quite good with letting you go where you want! The last thing I want is warranty issues or bad workmanship on a brand new car because that'll not only spoil the car but it'll spoil the ownership for me too.