Claiming on car insurance following an accident - do I HAVE to use one of the insurance companies approved garages...

[Tinker]

...or can I choose my own?

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

I had to use one of the insurance company approved garage. And similaly when I had to claim off someone elses insurance it was not my choice (well, I hada choice of their two, not my two).

HTH

Thanks. But, legally, do know if you have to use theirs?

I think it depends on the wording of your policy document. But if you don't use an approved garage you may need to get three quotes and they'll only pay the lowest, plus they won't pay for it directly but you'll have to pay the garage up-front and then have to claim the money back off the insurance. That's what I had to do when there wasn't an approved garage anywhere near me who could do the work.

Thanks AMIS

Just found this but would like something more authoritative.

It does depend on wording in policy. However,if you have a good reason for wanting to use a garage/not wanting to use a garage, the insurer is likely to agree via their assessor how much they would pay for repairs at one of their approved garages and reimburse that to you. They may not agree to be invoiced by the garage( ie you would have to pay and recover it later)

If it is someone else's insurance ie you are claiming from someone, it depends what you can negotiate or agree.

TBH I would think long and hard before trying to buck the system on this. most approved repairers guarantee repairs for 3 years and (hopefully) the insurers at least are likely to be there if anything goes wrong.

The point of paying comp cover is to take the hassle out of accidents, so i would go to approved repairer.

You do NOT HAVE to take you car to an approved garage it's your car you can have it repaired where you like, but they will try and wiggle, because they will be paying their approved repairer a lot less, than they will pay an indepentant, and believe me it's all about money, they don't give a rats arse about policy holders, they will also tell you you won't get a courtsey car, but you can choose.

Im pretty sure you legally dont have to

in my local independant garage they have a sign on the wall stating that the insurance cant dictate your garage and that they will do insurance repairs and can provide a courtesy car etc

Thank you all. I did check my policy and it does say, somewhere, I don't have to use an approved garage. I just really don't like being told what to do and the garage I want to use is very handy for me. But the insurance company are so pushy about it I was feeling bullied. And, yes, it will be all about money.

I had an insurance company agree to give me money in lieu of repairs. Good luck!