Accidents happen. And of course, the most important thing is that you and your passengers are OK. But once the dust has settled, it’s time to get your vehicle fixed and back on the road. It’s a process you need to manage in the right way.
In this article, we explain why you don’t have to automatically go with your insurer’s repair shop. Here are five things we think you should consider when you are unlucky enough to need to repair your vehicle:
1 – You have the right to choose
You have the right to choose who fixes your vehicle, even though your insurer might tell you otherwise. If you’re uneasy about the repair shop your insurer recommends and you’d rather take control of the process yourself, no one can stop you. Take your vehicle to a repair shop you trust to prioritise your safety and satisfaction.
At H&L, we have a long history of working with insurers who rank quality over getting a lower cost. We always put our customers first and never cut corners with our repair work.
2 – Insurer lists aren’t all they seem
Insurers work to cost lists, meaning they’ll only pay a certain amount to garages to perform the necessary repair work on a vehicle after an accident. This can put immense pressure on any garage, often forcing them to compromise on materials and labour to retain their profit margins.
It could result in a substandard repair, which could jeopardise your vehicle’s safety on the road. It’s not really what you want, is it?
3 – Manufacturer guarantees for safety and quality
Using a garage that doesn’t adhere to your vehicle manufacturer’s standards could compromise your vehicle’s integrity and safety. Parts provided by manufacturers are rigorously for quality, safety and durability. If a repair shop isn’t using manufacturer parts, you can’t be certain they’ll be good enough for your vehicle.
For example, when repairing a car bonnet after an accident, some repair companies will use cheap, unregulated materials or filler to cut costs, rather than the specific type of material manufacturers insist on. This material – in the bonnet crumple zone – is designed to take the impact of a crash instead of you and your passengers, so it’s essential that it’s of the best quality. Sure, the repair may look as good as new with cheap materials, but if the vehicle was in an accident, the bonnet would not crumple as designed, and it could cause serious damage and injury, particularly if a pedestrian was involved.
H&L Motors is approved by several leading manufacturers, including Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda. They audit us to strict criteria, ensuring they can trust us to carry out repairs that meet their high standards. It’s why all repairs we carry out at H&L come with a manufacturer warranty. Why settle for anything less?
4 – Trust the experts
Who is actually going to be fixing your precious vehicle after your accident? If you go with your insurer’s choice, you’ll probably never know.
Instead, select a repair shop you trust, with expert, accredited staff, trained directly by the people that made your vehicle. Their expertise guarantees that your repair will be done correctly, using the correct parts and procedures.
5 – We’ve got you covered
At H&L, we know that getting your vehicle repaired can be a stressful time. You may not feel confident taking on your insurance company if they’re putting you under pressure. That’s why we’re here to help with our full accident management process.
Our dedicated, experienced team will manage your entire insurance process for you, from start to finish. We’ll deal with your insurance company to make sure you get the service you deserve, with the highest standard of repair.
