Independent Repair Specialists vs. Insurance-Approved Shops | GVE London – Blog

Here’s a scenario: you recently had an accident—one of those non-fault car accidents. You find yourself confused about where to get your vehicle repaired. Should you stick with an insurance-approved shop or trust an independent repair specialist? Both have their pros and cons. So, we felt this is a topic worth exploring in detail so individuals can make a more informed decision.

What Is an Insurance-Approved Shop?

As the name might lead you to believe, insurance-approved shops are exactly that: garages or repair centres selected by an insurance company. After a non-fault accident claim, your insurer would suggest taking your car to one of these locations as they’re convenient and often faster to deal with due to pre-arranged agreements. However, they aren’t always the best choice. The thing with insurance-approved shops is that their priority is being cost-effective, from their perspective, rather than the quality of work they do. Not all but in most cases, corners are cut. If you own a luxury car or supercar, this could mean the usage of generic parts instead of OEMs or those designed specifically for your car.

So, while your insurance will cover repairs, the long-term durability of the work and replacement parts is not always the best.

Why Consider an Independent Repair Specialist?

Now, on the other hand, we have the option to choose independent repair specialists. If you own a supercar or a luxury car, or simply care deeply about your vehicle, these garages are often the go-to choice because they aren’t driven by the same mentality of cost-cutting and being cost-effective. Employees in a supercar bodyshop or a luxury car repair centre, like the ones at GVE London, are car enthusiasts themselves who care about getting your car back on the road as soon as possible, in the best possible condition. They care about the art of fixing a vehicle and building a real, professional customer relationship. Oh, and you can actually see the repairs happening. So, this is another major advantage if you’re unsure about whether OEM parts are being used.

Read Also: Will a Non-fault Accident Affect My Insurance?

Common Misconceptions

A major myth we hear floating around is that you are obligated to use an insurance-approved shop only for your non-fault claim. This is not true. The law gives you the right to choose the supercar body repair where your vehicle is repaired after a non-fault claim. They have to follow certain guidelines, but high-quality garages do that by default. Many independent repair specialists handle claims directly, working with insurers, making the process much easier.

Another myth is that independent specialists are far more expensive. This highly depends from one shop to another. Some offer quite a competitive price, while others might quote higher for premium services, for which the investment often pays off in quality and satisfaction.

How to Claim a Non-Fault Accident

The process begins by contacting your insurance provider or the company that will handle the claim. They’ll guide you through submitting the necessary details and arranging repairs. While your insurer may push for their approved shops, remember that you’re not obligated to use them. Feel free to explore the option of independent repair centres and see if their offerings appeal more to you. A great way of judging the work of a supercar service centre is looking at client testimonials, reviews, certifications, and their experience handling vehicles like yours.

Conclusion

Do not feel pressured to choose the default option provided to you by your insurer; you have every right to select the garage you want. If you need assistance with your non-fault claim, contact us here at GVE London. We’re a supercar service centre located in the West London area with a team of expert technicians who specialise in high-end cars. We’re a trusted supercar bodyshop that handles everything from regular repairs and servicing to non-fault claims, detailing,  modifications, and more. Contact us today to learn more!