Bugger....

[Gnasher]

If they want to send it to a non approved bodyshop (robbing you of your body warranty) then just mention that this would "disadvantage".

Insurance companies really hate the word "disadvantaged" as this is the reason for insurance and it's the word I was advised to use to ensure the repair wasn't substandard or manufacturer approved.

Hope that helps.

Also, remember some body shops are approved by some manufacturers.

[mcmaddy]

They cannot force you to use a body shop just because they say that's where you take it to.

Sorry, but yes they can. It will be in their T&C's for the insurance policy.

The clause will read "work only to be done in workshops prepared to pay us 50% of the artificially inflated damage estimate"

Sorry but no they can't. The only difference will be you may not get a courtesy car paid for. They cannot force you to go somewhere just because they say so.

[SRGTD]

They cannot force you to use a body shop just because they say that's where you take it to.

Sorry, but yes they can. It will be in their T&C's for the insurance policy.

The clause will read "work only to be done in workshops prepared to pay us 50% of the artificially inflated damage estimate"

My insurer will let you use a non insurer approved body shop, but if you decide to do this, then you don't get a courtesy car while your car is being repaired; the body shop needs to be insurer approved to get the courtesy car.

[mcmaddy]

I wouldn't give a hoot about a courtesy car, the main thing is getting the repair done properly and I'd much rather use a VW approved body shop than some other place the insurance company have said to use (the VW approved body shop that I've used is excellent)

[SRGTD]

I'd much rather use a VW approved body shop than some other place the insurance company have said to use (the VW approved body shop that I've used is excellent)

Me too.

[greencode]

My insurer will let you use a non insurer approved body shop, but if you decide to do this, then you don't get a courtesy car while your car is being repaired; the body shop needs to be insurer approved to get the courtesy car.

Who are you insured with. Would be interesting to know as my insurance is due soon. Never really thought about all of this before.

[I wanted a GTi]

They cannot force you to use a body shop just because they say that's where you take it to.

Sorry, but yes they can. It will be in their T&C's for the insurance policy.

The clause will read "work only to be done in workshops prepared to pay us 50% of the artificially inflated damage estimate"

Sorry but no they can't. The only difference will be you may not get a courtesy car paid for. They cannot force you to go somewhere just because they say so.

Yes, the only thing they can make you use is use an approved body shop for the make of car you have but even that is not always the case. Most garages have their own car to let you get about anyway.

I would be more concerned about the job being done right than getting a free car for a week tops to sort out that damage.

Sootchucker, I would only accept a new wheel.

[I wanted a GTi]

My insurer will let you use a non insurer approved body shop, but if you decide to do this, then you don't get a courtesy car while your car is being repaired; the body shop needs to be insurer approved to get the courtesy car.

Who are you insured with. Would be interesting to know as my insurance is due soon. Never really thought about all of this before.

Edit

Not sure why but I somehow thought you were asking who Sootchucker was insured with

[Exonian]

Bugger indeed. 

[SRGTD]

My insurer will let you use a non insurer approved body shop, but if you decide to do this, then you don't get a courtesy car while your car is being repaired; the body shop needs to be insurer approved to get the courtesy car.

Who are you insured with. Would be interesting to know as my insurance is due soon. Never really thought about all of this before.

Aviva.