Insurance claims · 8 min read
Choosing your repairer, at a glance
- You can generally choose your own repairer on an insurance claim.
- Insurers may vary excess or process outside their approved network, so check first.
- Tell your insurer early and give them the repairer's details.
- An independent repairer still provides full documentation for the insurer.
The short answer
When your insurer first deals with a claim, they will often suggest a repairer from their own approved network because it suits their process. That does not mean it is your only option. Most policies allow you to nominate your own repairer, and doing so does not usually affect your right to make the claim.
This page is a companion to our fuller explanation of your rights when choosing a repairer, and focuses here on the practical steps of actually making that choice happen with your specific insurer.
Telling your insurer you want your own repairer
- 01When you report the claim, say clearly that you want to use your own chosen repairer rather than the recommended network.
- 02Give the insurer our details so they can send the engineer's report, or authorise photos, direct to us.
- 03Ask what, if anything, changes about your excess or claim handling if you go outside their network, so there are no surprises.
- 04Get any relevant confirmation in writing or by email where possible, in case you need to refer back to it.
What to expect if the insurer pushes their network
It is common for a call handler to mention that using an approved repairer is faster or comes with a lower excess. This is a genuine trade off in some policies, but it is a choice, not a requirement. If you are firm that you want your own repairer, insurers will normally proceed, though the process for getting estimates approved may take a slightly different shape.
In some cases the insurer may ask their own engineer to inspect the car at our premises rather than accepting our estimate outright. That is a normal part of their process and not a sign of any problem with your choice.
What an independent body shop provides the insurer
- A detailed written estimate covering parts, labour and paint materials.
- Photographs of the damage before, during and after repair.
- Any supplementary estimates for additional damage found once the car is stripped down.
- A final invoice that matches the agreed and authorised work.
Checking your policy wording
| Policy clause | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Approved repairer network | A list of repairers the insurer has commercial arrangements with, not a legal requirement to use them |
| Excess variation | Some policies charge a higher excess if you go outside the network, worth checking before you decide |
| Guarantee on repairs | Approved networks sometimes offer their own repair guarantee, which is worth weighing against your reasons for choosing independently |
| Claim handling terms | How quickly estimates are reviewed and paid can differ slightly outside the network |
Why some people prefer an independent repairer
Reasons vary. Some drivers have used a local repairer before and trust the standard of work. Others simply prefer to deal with a smaller business directly rather than a call centre. Whatever the reason, it is a legitimate choice and one insurers are used to accommodating.
What matters most is that the repairer you choose carries out the work to an insurance standard, with proper documentation, so the claim runs smoothly on both sides.
A word of caution
Policy wording differs between insurers, and some do build in a genuinely higher excess or slower process if you go outside their network. Read your documents carefully or ask your insurer directly before assuming the financial outcome will be identical either way.
Questions people ask us
- Will my insurer refuse to let me use my own repairer?
- It is unusual for an insurer to refuse outright, though some policies apply a higher excess or a different process if you go outside their approved network.
- Does choosing my own repairer slow down my claim?
- Not necessarily, though the insurer's engineer may want to review the independent repairer's estimate before authorising work, which can add a short step.
- Can I switch repairer partway through a claim?
- It is possible in some cases, but check with your insurer first since work already authorised or started may complicate a switch.
- Do I lose any guarantee by not using an approved repairer?
- You would lose any guarantee specific to the approved network, though many independent body shops stand behind their own workmanship, so it is worth asking directly.
Where to go next
Want an independent estimate before you decide?
Send us a few photos and we will give you a free, no-obligation estimate you can weigh against anything your insurer suggests.
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