Direct Line Car Insurance & Preferred Repairers

VALIA

Hi All,

I'd be grateful for your advice.

My car is only two years old and still under warranty and I understand that during the period of a warranty all repairs must be undertaken by the manufacturers approved bodyshop. However my insurer (Direct Line) has just informed me that its policy is to charge for any difference in the cost of a repair undertaken if it is greater than that quoted by their own preferred repairer/body shop.

They state that this is a Company policy. I can't find anywhere in my motor insurance policy where this is stated.

I have made claims in the past to the same Insurer and this 'policy' has never been mentioned. I'm now stuck between a rock and a hard place. It is an own fault claim and I can't afford to pay more than the excess on the policy, yet neither can I afford to void the car manufacturer's warranty.

I have expressed my concerns to the insurer and advised them that come renewal time, this will be a deal-breaker. They don't seem in the least bothered to lose the business or whether they incur reputational damage. I have been a customer with this organisation for over a decade.

Has anyone been in the same situation and managed to overcome such stupidity?

BertTheRaccoon

After the battering they had on Despatches on Channel 4 tonight, they may be a bit more accomadating.

I don't know of your policy terms, but doubt they can do that. You have a right to chose your repairer. They will just make life more inconvenient by saying it will take 10 days to get their engineer to approve the repairs and will say you won't get a courtesy car out of them.

They will try to force their approved repairer onto you because they can control the costs more and probably insist on non OEM parts being used.

deutsch

you've paid your premium. you've paid your excess. they should indemnify you (put you back to where you were - before the claim never happened).

make a complaint, especially after hearing today's channel 4 program.