Victoria’s leading automotive industry body, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has advised car owners to check the fine print in their car insurance policies with complaints continuing about motorists being poorly treated during the repair process.
“Increasingly, insurance companies are directing motorists towards their preferred repairer network,” explained VACC Executive Director, David Purchase. “Their actions deny motorists control and freedom of choice.”
“VACC recommends all motorists ask their insurance company the following question ‘can I choose the repairer I want’,” Mr Purchase added.
According to the VACC, some insurance companies divert motorists away from their repairer of choice to the company’s ‘preferred repairer’ and pressure those repairers to fix vehicles cheaply, resulting in corners being cut, substandard repairs and unsafe vehicles.
The VACC has called on the Victorian State Government to bring insurance companies back into line by requiring consumers to be told about the choice of repairer provisions contained in comprehensive car insurance policies.
