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Why are accident repair costs so different?
Why does insurance cost so much? Let me tell you. I was involved in a minor bump with a parked car. No damage to mine, and only door skin and window glass to his new Mazda 6. I was willing to pay and not involve insurance, cost £4000 or more. My car hire cost £225; theirs cost £2038 for the same car, for the same period. My repair cost £448.50 labour plus £376 parts, while theirs cost £1700 and rising (same repair shop). Their reasons are that via an accident management agency they charge £61.43 per day rate as the agreed ABI rate for car hire and the increased repair costs are down to administration. The sad thing is that, having conceded and referred it to my insurer, they are willing to pay it. Any advice appreciated.
Asked on 21 December 2013 by DS, via email
Answered by
Honest John
Many thanks for those figures which support my argument that, despite its claims to have cleaned up its act, the motor insurance business is still far more interested in creating income streams for leeches and parasites than in providing an honest service to policyholders, who are simply forced, by law, to pick up the tab for their own exploitation. I think you could take the matter to the Small Claims track of the County Court, arguing that, though you are not actually paying the claim, the fact that it is four times greater than it needs to be will increase your future insurance premiums.
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