Relationships between insurers and bodyshops have always been fractious. 

Differing views about labour rates and insurers’ demands for discounts on parts and materials and expectations of free courtesy cars for every policyholder have often caused difficulties.

However, not all working partnerships follow this route and there are methods each can employ to smooth out these differences.

Ken Hammond, managing director of Boundary Garage, says he has a good relationship with Fortis Insurance because both sides have trust.

He feels a lot of insurers clog up the process by trying to micro-manage the repair, when bodyshops want to be left to get on with it. 

Lancashire-based Hammond says: “We have got schedules to keep to and need to turn the car round as soon as possible with the highest quality.

“All we want to see at the other end is an invoice from Fortis Insurance. If there is a problem in between we phone Fortis and sort it out. We don’t have a problem with them.

“They trust us and we trust them. The benefit the insurance company gets is that we are in control of the costs and know how much this means to the insurer."
 

• Read this story in full in the 6 Feb 09 issue of AM. To subscribe to AM magazine click here or call 01733 468659.