Insurance companies are being warned against 'victimising' vehicle body repairers who are defending their rights by supporting the Body Repair Industry Campaign.

"Bodyshops are reporting that they face insurer sanction if they are seen to be supporting the BRIC campaign," said Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) director of bodyshop services, Bob Hood.

"I have confirmed to them that, should insurers choose to victimise any RMI member who exercises his right to support the campaign, the RMI's legal team will become involved. Moreover, I have received assurance from Parliament that its members would take an extremely dim view of insurer pressure on bodyshops."

The RMI is assuring its bodyshop members that all contributions to the BRIC fund which are held by the RMI will remain totally confidential.

BRIC is a repairer-led campaign aimed at improving relationships between insurers and vehicle body repairers. (September 27, 2001)