Car Insurance tactics

linzi299

Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing some issues with vehicle insurance companies bumping up the excess to use a garage of your choice and also on Non fault claims sending to Management companies. . I work for a small family run bodyshop that has been running for over 85 years. Many years ago we were approved with various insurance companies and the pay scale from them did not cover our high standard of work and we left the approved repairer scheme to keep our good name. Recently we have found that a number customers have be bullied by management companies who claim for everything going on minor damage. They will push a hire car even if that person has stated they don't need one, ask us to charge nearly twice labour rate which is beneficial to our company but unnecessary, we refuse to do this as we believe that is the main reason for Insurance price hikes which will hit us in the long term. For example and job that would normally cost £450 on a fault claim or private repairs would cost £1100 on a non fault claim and management companies will hound individuals for months (same damage same situation) I'm not sure if the public are aware but recommended repairers are governed by set rates and time scales and must stick with them regardless. They will only spray the area of damage once even if the colour isn't matching. We have noticed an increase in customers complaining of their insurance companies hiking up excess by nearly £850 to use a garage of their choice surely this is a bullying tactic that should be stopped. We have also had an increase of work come to us because of shoddy repairs by recommended repairers and the customers have had to fight hammer and nail to get it resolved. Its worth people knowing that before taking out a policy to check the small print regarding the repairs and non fault procedures and there is hidden clauses that allow them to pass your information to Management companies and which somehow Comply with GDPR. Insurance premiums are increasing regardless of no claims on policy and are far higher than the RPI , which is to cover the over inflated repair costs and also to rectify shoddy repairs in the first place.

Quentin

You are experiencing the norm these days

Your refusal to inflate your costs for amcs won't help Insurers unfortunately.

The AMC gets far more profit out of credit hire than paying repair shops to inflate costs!

So sadly you either fall in or lose the business to a competitor who will agree!

Although many Insurers do refer their policy holders to amcs after a no fault incident there's no compulsion to go there, and the policyholder could consider going directly to the third party insurer who would normally arrange a replacement car and allow the innocent third party to choose their own repairer with no pressure to use the insurers appointed body shop

linzi299

Given that having insurance is mandatory and a legal requirement, more should be put in place to protect consumers from these bullying tactics and have them remove the extra charges should a customer want use their own bodyshop. Most Insurance companies have now introduced this clause which inevitably takes away that ( use any garage) right and influences a persons decision. I believe that the Ombudsman will hopefully become involved in due course, as more complaints pile up regarding shoddy repairs. Not going to complain as Bodyshops like us rectify the issue, just mad as a car owner myself no claims in 15 years same car for 5 of them and yet my insurance goes up to cover these mistakes that could potentially be avoided. A vehicle is a large part of someones financial outlay and you cannot use it without insurance and that is where they have you by the short and curlys. We need to be protected more when it comes to additional charges on Insurance Policy's the banks had their wrists slapped for such a practice.

Quentin

You are missing the point.

When you take out your insurance you agree to any excesses that you will pay in the event of a claim.

If you don't like any of these excesses then don't buy the policy!

forgotmyname

Puzzled with your comments, what has the fact you must have insurance got to do with choosing your own bodyshop or the policy excess?

Just done the comparison sites and thought cool cheaper quotes than my renewal, until i spot the excess £350 vol. Current policy is zero.
Change excess to zero and then add on the legal and its within pennies of my renewal.

If you don't like the policy terms then get a different policy.

I get the feeling your here to spam for YOUR bodyshop, i get the feeling your not in the click with insurance companies and you feel your missing out.

Maybe a session with a business adviser is required?