Know Your Rights
Had an accident? Call us First
After an accident, it’s your legal right to choose where your vehicle is repaired — not your insurer’s. Insurance companies often direct you to their preferred repairers to cut costs, but these garages may lack manufacturer approval or BSI Kitemark™ certification like we have at Auto Prestige Repairs in Smethwick.
Your insurer is required by the FCA to treat you fairly, which means:
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You do not need multiple quotes
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You do not have to use their chosen repairer
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You can choose a repair centre that puts quality and your safety first
We work with all major insurers and take care of the process from start to finish.
If you are ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a road traffic accident, make sure you call Auto Prestige Repairs before your insurer and our expert team we will take care of everything.
Change to the Law
In July 1993, the Director General of Fair Trading asked insurance companies to clarify
consumers’ rights under the terms of ‘approved’ or ‘recommended’ repairer schemes. These schemes take the form of a list of garages or a telephone helpline service to put accident victims in touch with a vehicle body repairer with which an insurer has a special relationship.
Despite the Director General of Fair Trading’s request, insurance policy holders still remain largely unaware of their right to have damaged vehicles repaired at the garage of their choice, providing the chosen garage operates to industry standards and that repair costs can be satisfactorily agreed.
In such circumstances an insurance engineer’s inspection of the damaged vehicle may be requested before repairs can be authorised, but any necessary inspection should be arranged promptly in order to minimize delays in repairs.