Insurers Providing Sub-standard Repairs

Investigation reveals motorists are receiving substandard vehicle repairs through insurers.

A recent study by the Competition Commission (CC) has found that motorists involved in road traffic accidents are more likely to have their vehicle repaired properly if they choose their own repairer rather than leaving the decision to their insurers, according to a recent study.

The investigation – part of a year-long analysis of costs incurred by road users amid concerns over rising premiums – found that three times as many vehicles were not properly repaired where the motorists’s insurer were allowed to determine the repairer. Estimates by the CC suggest that drivers could be paying as much as £200million more than necessary for car insurance annually due to the inflated cost of settling not-at-fault claims

Alasdair Smith, CC deputy chairman and chair of the private motor insurance investigation group, said:

“Our provisional view is that many drivers of the UK’s 25 million privately registered cars are footing the bill for unnecessary costs incurred during the claims process following an accident. These costs are initially borne by the insurers of at-fault drivers, but they feed through into increased car insurance premiums for all drivers.”

Such costs are compounded by the seemingly increasing occurrence of substandard repairs which may need to be rectified at a later stage and can reduce the sell on value of vehicles, further hitting motorists in the pocket.

Want to ensure your car is in the best possible hands when repairs are required after a road traffic accident? Winn Solicitors use only reputable repairers and manufacturer approved parts, and even provide a like-for-like replacement vehicle after a non-fault accident.

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