Non fault car accident and injury

Jlo31

You can demand that your car is repaired at your body shop but the third party insurer may need to send out an engineer to assess and cost the damage.
If you use their approved repairer they may approve repairs straight away. Try and look up reviews for the garage they are recommending. Look them up on Google maps and read the reviews. Who are the third party insurer btw? Always interesting to know who offers good service.

Good luck. I think you have made the right decision staying away from credit hire.

Petriix

It's all negotiable. In my accident the third party insurer initially wanted their preferred company to take my car away for repairs and provide a courtesy car etc.. After a bit of negotiation they were happy to provide me with a cash settlement leaving me free to sort out the repair myself. Photos and a few ads on Autotrader were enough evidence to call it a cosmetic write-off and set the bar for their offer. 

Sandtree

All insurers, and AXMs, will prefer you use their network of garages... the rates are preapproved, they normally can self authorise moderate sized jobs and have the kit/access to digitally submit the information for approval on larger jobs. Go out of network and there may have to be a physical visit, they will negotiate over labour rate and parts (though this isnt difficult with any decent modern garage but much more challenging with backstreet types).

From your point of view network will give you (in theory) a faster repair, sometimes some additional guarantee on the work and assurance that if something goes wrong the insurer will deal with it (eg sub standard repairs). Your own garage you may have more faith in but if the repairs arent up to standard its normally between you and your chosen garage to sort.

If you do have a preferred garage its worth double checking they actually do bodywork in house... had so may cases where a TP demanded that the car went to Mercedes/ BMW etc however as soon as the Mercedes chap picked the car up it was driven around to a local coachworks place and never put a tyre on the Mercedes garage forecourt. The customer was happy though as "Mercedes" did the repairs and Mercedes get their 15% referral fee (or whatever percentage it is)

ps124

Hi all, thanks for all the tips. I didn't think of checking the reviews on Google.

The TPI is a company called Ageas who are underwriting for the AA I believe. They want me to use a Rye Street Group Repairers. I had a look at the reviews and they are pretty average to be honest. 3/3.5 out of 5 with some people complaining about the quality of repairs and some possible misuse of the vehicle following collection. Doesn't really fill me with a lot of confidence.

The repairer I had in mind was the one suggested by Auxillis. I've never used them before but they are local to me, and their reviews are really good. They are manufacturer approved for my vehicle so that's also a plus. I will give Ageas a call tomorrow and try and negotiate with them. If they say no and insist on Rye Street, I might have to re-think. This is quite messy...meanwhile...1 week later, my car is still on my driveway in its damaged state. I need to get a move on! :-)

ps124

I also had a chat with the repairers I had in mind...they suggested I tell Ageas to look on 'Audatex' or something and they can view the images and the repair recommendations to make a decision. Anyone know what that is? Is it worth a go?

RBN20

Auditex is what garages and insurers use to communicate a lot of the time. The garage can send a fully broken down estimate and images to an insurer and the insurer can then authorise the repairs directly through audatex if they are happy to do so. The insurer usually has a limit on what they will authorise without physically seeing the car, so an inspection may be arranged still. I’m sure the third party insurer will allow you to use your chosen garage, the reason they offer their own network is just because they have agreed rates with them and can often offer other benefits because they have contracts with them, for example warranties or pick up/deliveries, and it’s generally quicker. I’m sure they will be happy to accommodate you with whichever repairer as they will be pleased that you’re claiming through them rather than a credit company 

ps124

So Ageas have spoken to my repairers of choice and passed on their quote to their engineers to review and approve. Waiting on a response now which could take 3-4 days. I'm pretty certain I don't want to go with Ageas' own repairers as I just found out they are not BMW approved so it wouldn't make sense. So unless they agree to go with my choice of repairers, I'll have a decision to make...will cross that bridge when we come to it I guess. I have to say the agent I spoke with today at Ageas was so much more understanding and helpful then the last. :-)

Sandtree

As previously said, its very rare that a decent garage and an insurer cannot agree terms... it is more common with backstreet garages who estimate "from experience" and so may say strip down will be 3 hours but the insurance company (and decent garages) will use software like Autodex which you put the details in and it will say for your make/model its 1.5hrs for strip down. Jobs can go to backstreets though as whilst they may never agree on the number of hours their lower hourly rate means common ground can be found.

The only time I've known rates not to be agreed with a decent place is where a garage wanted to charge mechanics rates for bodyshop work and wouldnt budge.

ps124

To update, the TPI have authorised the garage costs so its good news in that sense. The credit company have also closed down my case as requested so thats also positive. Admiral have now said I could have claimed through them and they would have waived the excess as the other party claimed liability! Slightly annoyed as I told them if they had told me on the first call, the the credit company would never have been in the picture. I only had to choose between them or the TPI.

Last question...They've said it would go down as an 'open' case on my policy and they would close it down once the other party had paid up all the costs. Should I even bother with this or stick to my plan of the TPI and tell Admiral for 'info only'. The TPI have approved everything so far and offered a hire car so I guess long term, its better to not touch your policy in this?

Sandtree

The only relevant question really is when your renewal date is... if its a long way away then the status quo is fine. If it is imminent then you'll want the Admiral file closed as non-fault/info only ASAP as not to impact your renewal quote.