Published with permission from Vero Insurance New Zealand.
Even a minor car collision can be stressful and difficult, especially if you’re pretty busy and then have to find a vehicle repairer. If you haven’t already got a relationship with a panel beater, it can be tricky to find one you can trust. Friends and family can be a great source for recommendations, however, your needs will sometimes be different to theirs and you might only have minor damage or live in a different town. If you’re making a claim for damage to your car, your insurance company can help find a repairer that’s right for you.
4 tips to consider when looking for a repairer:
1. Location
Find a repairer who is easy for you to access. This might mean one close to work, or near your house You might even consider one with handy public transport nearby, depending on your preference for where you would like to drop off and collect your vehicle.
2. Timeline
At certain times of the year or locations, there might be big waiting lists for panel repairs, so you want to check how long you will have to wait to book your car in, whether they have to order parts and how long they expect the repairs to take. Repairs can take anywhere from a few weeks, to even just a couple of days.
3. Quality of the Repairs
It’s important your panel beater produces a high standard of work so you can be reassured you’re vehicle is safe on the road. If you’re not familiar with your repairer, it can be difficult to know who to trust. If you’re feeling unsure, you can always talk to your car insurer and find out who they recommend.
4. Transport
You’ll need to consider if you need a courtesy car or if you can just use public transport. Make sure you check with your repairer if they have a courtesy car available. Wait times for a repairers’ courtesy cars will often mean you have to wait longer to book your car in, so make sure to take into account the availability of a vehicle for your repair timeline. If you can use some other means of transport like buses, trains, taxis or relying on friends, or someone has a spare car you can borrow, you may find you can get your car back sooner.
The best tip of all is to stay safe, so take care on the roads!
By David Drillien