Following a car accident, managing your insurance claim can be confusing and highly stressful. People often don’t understand their legal rights regarding repairs, and struggle to choose the right body shop which prioritises their needs and wants.
Understanding what an approved repairer is, and what the benefits of using one are, can help you to make a fully informed decision when it comes to the accident repairs and body work for your vehicle.
What is an approved repairer?
An approved repairer is a body shop which has an agreement with an insurance provider to carry out repairs to a certain standard. Your insurer is likely to recommend that you use an approved repairer, but you have the right to research your own garage for body repair.
Approved repairers usually have contractual agreements in place with insurers, which ensures quality control and a certain level of quality for accident repairs. Whilst you do not have to opt to use these repairers, you should definitely consider them as a choice, given that there are a lot of benefits.
To locate an approved repairer, simply ask your claims handler for a list of local body shops within their network. Alternatively, you can use the online search tool on your insurer's website, which will typically provide a list of the best approved repair shops in your area based on your postcode.
Check out our guide to using an insurance approved repairer.
The benefits of using an insurance approved repairer
Some of the benefits of using an insurance approved repairer include:
Repairs to pre-accident condition - Insurers hold their approved garages to the standard of returning vehicles to their pre-accident, or original, condition.
High quality workmanship - Approved garages guarantee high quality workmanship, as this enables them to maintain their contract with insurers, which is mutually beneficial.
High quality parts - When approved garages repair vehicles, replacement parts have to be of manufacturer quality, so no cheap alternatives are used.
Smoother process - The process of using insurance approved repairers is usually much smoother and easily managed. At ST Accident Repairs, we actually manage the process from start to finish.
Vetted and audited - Being an approved garage means passing a number of tests in terms of repair care and quality. This assures a certain level of workmanship and repair quality.
Get in touch for Insurance Approved Repairs.
Common drawbacks with insurance approved repairers
Often, the following are stated as common drawbacks with insurance approved repairers:
- Focus on cost over quality
- Limited choice
- Inadequate repairs
- No personalised repairs
Whilst these are regular concerns, which may be true in some cases, ST Accident Repairs are dedicated to delivering the highest possible quality of repairs, ensuring as much quality as possible. We also include a warranty and a satisfaction guarantee, because we’re so confident that you’ll be pleased with the quality and care of your repairs.
Our team of highly qualified and trained technicians delivers an efficient body repair service without compromising on quality. We specialize in all aspects of bodywork, from panel to paint, and use only manufacturer-recognised methods and materials. This ensures that all repairs are of the highest standard, offering a long-lasting finish for every make and model we work on.
Should you use an insurance approved repairer?
Whether or not you should use an insurance approved repairer isn’t a black and white answer. We would always suggest doing your own research, including looking into both the recommended repairers and other local options, before deciding what the best choice for you.
Using an insurance approved repairer guarantees a certain level of quality, because insurers require a minimum level of care and expertise in order to sign contracts with body shops.
ST Accident Repair Centre has been awarded the BS 10125 Kitemark certification, which means we're officially recognised for excellent quality services and consistent commitment to quality. As a result, we’re confident that we’re the best option for repairs, whether or not you’ve been suggested to us by your insurer. Get in touch today for more information.
