Car insurance policies that offer you a choice of repairer let you choose the mechanic if your vehicle has been damaged. Many comprehensive car insurance policies include a choice of repairer as a policy feature, some don't cover it at all and with others it's an optional add-on. If you don't have a choice of repairer, the insurer will choose the repairer.
Here's a list of all the major car insurers in Australia, including if they let you choose your repairer with their comprehensive policy. If it is listed as optional, you'll have pay extra to choose your own repairer.
| Provider | Choice of repairer |
|---|---|
| AAMI | |
| Allianz | |
| Bingle | |
| Budget Direct | Optional |
| Coles | Optional |
| GIO | |
| Kogan | Optional |
| NRMA | Optional |
| RAA | |
| RAC | |
| RACT | |
| RACV | Optional |
| RACQ | |
| Real | |
| Suncorp | |
| Virgin | Optional |
| Westpac | |
| Everyday | |
| Youi | Optional |
| CommBank | |
| QBE | Optional |
"It's a trade-off between speed and convenience," one of our case studies Samantha Odo says. If you want it done well and quickly, it might be better to use your own repairer. If you don't want to worry about upfront expenses or communication issues between the insurer and the repairer, your car insurer's preferred repairer is probably ideal.
It's an optional extra with a handful of car insurers including Budget Direct and QBE. If you choose this add-on, you can expect to pay approximately 10–20% more for a policy, according to our research.
Pros of choosing the repairer
Cons of choosing the repairer
The process went relatively smoothly because the repairer was familiar with the insurance company's requirements and standards. They assessed the damage quickly, and there was little paperwork to deal with, which was a relief. The overall repair quality was good, and they used genuine parts, so I didn't have to worry about subpar substitutes. The only disadvantage I noticed was a slight delay in the completion of the repair. It took a little longer than I had anticipated. That's probably because the repair shop was swamped with other insurance-related jobs. However, using the insurer's repairer made the entire claim process easier. It's a trade-off between speed and convenience, but it ended up working out well for me.
The repair shop assessed the damage quickly and provided a detailed repair estimate. They also communicated directly with my insurance company, making the entire process more efficient. The repairs were completed on time, and the quality of the work was excellent. I felt like I made the right decision by hiring a reputable repairer, as it provided me with peace of mind throughout the process.
My experience using the insurer's recommended repair shop was a mixed bag. On the positive side, the process was very convenient. The insurance company provided me with a list of their preferred repair shops, and I chose one in my area. They were familiar with the insurance procedures, which meant less hassle for me. The repair shop had a direct billing arrangement with the insurer, so I didn't have to pay out of pocket and then wait for reimbursement, which was a relief.
However, the downside was that I felt like I had limited control over the repair process. The repair shop's communication left a lot to be desired. They didn't keep me well-informed about the progress, and I had to make several calls to get updates. This lack of transparency was frustrating, and I felt somewhat in the dark about what was happening with my car.
The quality of the repair work was decent, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I might have received better service and communication had I chosen my own trusted repairer. The entire experience made me realise the importance of clear and consistent communication during the repair process, and the value of having the freedom to choose a repair shop based on my own experiences and preferences.
In the future, I might be more inclined to use my own repairer, even if it involves more paperwork and potentially paying upfront.
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