7 min read
When you report an accident, most insurers will direct you straight to one of their own approved repairers. What they rarely volunteer is that you are generally free to choose your own bodyshop instead.
Your policy covers repairing your vehicle to a proper standard. It does not usually oblige you to use a particular garage. The insurer's network exists because those shops have agreed commercial rates with them — which is a benefit to the insurer, not necessarily to you.
What the insurer may say
Read your own policy. A small number of policies genuinely restrict your choice or penalise it, and it is better to know before the conversation than after.
- "You'll lose your repair guarantee." A good independent bodyshop guarantees its own work — ours is guaranteed, and we repair to BS10125, the British Standard for vehicle body repair
- "It'll take longer." Sometimes it takes an extra day or two while the estimate is agreed. Insurer networks also run backlogs
- "You may not get a courtesy car." This can be true, as courtesy cars are often tied to network shops. Ask us — we will tell you what we can arrange before you commit
- "Your excess will be higher." Some policies do apply a higher excess for a non-approved repairer. Check your policy wording; if so, weigh it against the repair you want
What 'approved repairer' actually means
It means a shop has met an insurer's or motoring organisation's criteria and agreed terms with them — equipment, standards, audit, and rates. It is a real quality bar, and worth checking for.
But it is a commercial relationship, not a monopoly on competence. What matters for your car is the standard the work is done to and the equipment the shop has for your vehicle. We are an RAC approved repairer, we work with all major UK insurers, and we repair to BS10125 with over 20 years' experience.
What to look for in any bodyshop
- Repairs to BS10125, the British Standard for vehicle body repair
- A written guarantee on bodywork and paint
- Proper estimating — we use Audatex, the same system insurers use, so figures are agreed on common ground
- Manufacturer repair methods, correct fixings, seam sealing and cavity protection
- A low-bake spray oven and documented colour matching, not just spraying to the code
- Measuring capability for structural work, and ADAS recalibration where sensors are disturbed
How the process works
You do not have to manage any of the back-and-forth yourself. Once you have named us, we deal with the claim.
- Tell your insurer you will be using your own repairer and give them our details
- Send us photographs on WhatsApp, or bring the car in — the initial estimate is free and there is no obligation
- We prepare an Audatex estimate and submit it to the insurer or engineer
- The insurer authorises the work, or queries specific lines, which we deal with directly
- We repair, refinish and quality check the vehicle, then invoice the insurer; you pay only your excess
If the other driver was at fault
Your choice is stronger still. You are entitled to be put back in the position you were in before the accident, and the at-fault insurer is liable for reasonable repair costs. Be careful with third-party 'accident management' companies that phone shortly after a claim and steer you into a hire car and a repairer of their choosing — read what you sign, because you can be left liable for their charges.
You are free to instruct us and let us handle the estimate with whichever insurer is paying.
Talk to us before you agree to anything
If your insurer has already booked your car in somewhere and you would rather it came to us, call and speak to a technician. It is usually straightforward to change, even after the claim is opened.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I choose my own repairer after an accident?
- In almost all cases, yes. Your policy covers repairing your vehicle properly and does not usually require a specific garage. Simply tell your insurer you are using your own repairer and give them the bodyshop's details. Check your policy, as a small number impose a higher excess for non-approved repairers.
- What does an insurance approved bodyshop mean?
- It means the shop has met an insurer's or motoring organisation's standards and agreed commercial terms with them. It is a genuine quality bar, but it does not mean other qualified shops cannot do the work — what matters is the repair standard, such as BS10125, and the equipment for your vehicle.
- Will using my own repairer invalidate my insurance or guarantee?
- No. It will not invalidate your cover. You rely on the bodyshop's own guarantee rather than the insurer's network guarantee, so choose a shop that gives one in writing — ours is guaranteed and we repair to BS10125.
- Do I still get a courtesy car if I use my own bodyshop?
- It depends on your policy, as courtesy cars are often provided through the insurer's own network. Ask us before you decide and we will tell you what we can arrange.
- Who pays if the other driver was at fault?
- The at-fault driver's insurer is liable for reasonable repair costs, and you are entitled to have the car returned to its pre-accident condition. You can still instruct the repairer of your choice, and we will deal with the estimate and authorisation.
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