AIBU to ignore this advice?

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Someone hit into my car in April and caused a dent in the passenger door and front bumper. My insurance company's recommended repairer has promised me a repair slot every week for the last 6 weeks but for one reason or another they have to cancel and postpone to the following week.

The other drivers insurer (Churchill - reputable as far as I'm concerned) has sent out a letter saying that they can repair it all and give me a like for like replacement vehicle while repairs are ongoing as opposed to my insurers offer of a 1l car (for 3 kids car seats, dog and myself to squeeze into).

I am tempted by this and the fact that repairs are guaranteed to be done in the next few weeks (as I've been waiting just over 3 months with my insurer) and it's Churchill who I deem to be reputable enough to not do me over but I have never heard of people using an insurer other than their own and the people that I have asked (friends, work colleagues) have said I should stick to my own insurer to avoid difficulties in future but none of them have any experience of this type of scenario.

So AIBU to ignore their advice and use the other insurer for the repairs?

Do any of you have experience of this scenario?

What potential problems do you think there might be? I can't see an issue with it myself. You get your car fixed at maximum convenience, they uphold thier duty to sort out your claim asap.

I wouldnt have even spoken to my insurer other than to inform them.

Let churchill sort it all out as its in their interest to sort it quickly

Why don't you ask your insurer if it's ok for you to do this?

I used to work for Churchill (many, many moons ago). Certainly back then they were one of the better insurers out there.

I can't see any problem in getting them to sort your repair, and as you say they will give you a more practical courtesy car then you would be entitled to from your own insurer.

Plus you won't have to faff about paying your excess and then having to reclaim it.

A driver went into the back of my car earlier this year. I reported it to my insurer but then
the other driver's insurance company called me. They offered to repair including a courtesy car, plus give me £100 (Admiral).

I went with Admiral's offer - they did the work really quickly and I got a 5 year guarantee on repairs. Admiral told me that they offer this to keep costs down as they can use their garages and car hire company. So they end up paying a lot less than they would to another insurance company.

Just remember to let your insurer know what you're doing so they can cancel the claim.

Has the other driver claimed full responsibility? If so, then it seems like a good idea to let their insurer repair the damage. As you say, you're dealing with a reputable company.

By any chance, have your insurers passes you onto an accident management company, such as Auxillis (previously Albany Assistance)? These companies have shocking customer service and they charge the insurers (in this case Churchill) a significant sum on top of repairs to 'manage' the claim and provide a hire car at an above market rate as well.

The alternative option is to just get the car repaired at a garage convenient to you and pass the bill on to Churchill via your insurers. I did this recently.

Thank you all for your replies!

It's not auxillis joey it's nationwide repairs

change people are saying that I don't have an account with Churchill so if I was to dispute anything there's no real onus on them to sort it out but I think this is a weak argument.

Off to call Churchill 🙂🙂