My car was recently rear ended and the bumper needs to be replaced. I am insured with GIO insurance.
Should I have my car repaired by GIO’s preferred smash repairer or should I look for another repairer of my own choosing? My policy allows for a choice of repairer but I wouldn’t know how to find a reputable panelbeater.
Looking for people’s experiences with GIO’s own smash repairers.
Many thanks.
Does it make a difference if I claim through their insurer or my own insurer if I am not at fault?
Other party would not give me their insurer details and told me to claim on my insurance. I've given my insurer the at fault driver's details.
depending on your insurer, some of them will increase your premium regardless of faults.
anyway, i believe its the better option to use your own insurance.
Not knowing the other parties insurance details complicates the matter and may leave you with no other choice but to claim through your own insurer.
BUT, this should be the last option. If you can claim through the other parties insurers (assuming they have one) then they cannot dictate where to take your car for repairs and/or what quote to accept.
You can always ask one of the dealerships of the manufacturer of your car in your area (or outside of your area if you willing to travel). Often they have preferred repairers themselves as they know they use genuine oem parts opposed to aftermarket.
Not saying insurance approved repairers wouldn’t do it by the book - rather some may use cheaper aftermarket parts so increase their margins(repairer) / reduce cost (insurance) which may be agreed already with the repairer (as is the capped labour rates etc) - hence them being nominated as preferred.
If you get it done by the insurers repairer you know that there is a warranty for the insurer will pressure the repairer.
If you go your own way than you run the risk of getting bitten by a repairer who at face value, looks the goods.
I did and I am regretting to this day.
From recent experience it's a pretty hit and miss. You can try and find an independent panel beater - but can cost more and probably has a reputation with the insurance provider for being difficult (according to insurance provider). The insurance provider ones are generally fairly basic. Just grit your teeth and push back if you get a poor job done. May even have to find a high end panel beater to get a quote for remediation.
If the damage is just the bumper bar, it won't matter who replaces it - it's a straight forward exercise of order new bumper, paint it in matching colour and install.
GIO is part of Suncorp, which is one of the largest insurance companies in Australia. They will provide lifetime guarantee on the repairs - so if paint starts to peel in 5 years time, they'll re-paint it at no cost to you. If you go through one of their recommended repairs, they'll pay for taxi home and then back to pick up the car when repairs are done. The repair will also happen quicker as they have agreements and audit processes in place with preferred repairers, whereas if you take it to unfriendly repairer who submits inflated quote, it could easily take a week for assessor to come out to view the car in person and try to negotiate with that repairer. If that fails, they'll have to get an alternative quote from another repairer.
In other words, for a simple job and non-unique car (like classic cars or a Rolls Royce), take it to their recommended one and inspect repairs when picking up the car. You will probably never be able to tell that there has been a repair done (assuming they do the colour match well). Check the colour under different angles and light conditions to make sure you are happy with it. Some repairers can have the car back to you within 2-3 business days.
find your own one
I go to a mate mechanic and tell him to give me a massive quote
Get the payout and keep it if youre willing to live with the damages to your car
Ever heard of insurance fraud?
If you were rear ended then (unless the other party was not insured) claim on the others parties insurance. You have a choice of repairer but they are all much of a muchness.