Your Right to Choose Your Preferred Bodyshop After an Accident (What Insurers Don’t Always Explain)

At Bodyshop Manchester, we regularly speak to customers who tell us the same story.

They’ve been involved in a non-fault accident, brought their vehicle to us for an inspection, received a repair quote, and are happy to go ahead because they trust us to carry out the work properly. However, once the at-fault driver decides to put the claim through their insurance, the customer is suddenly told that a different garage has been appointed to complete the repair.

At that point, many people assume they no longer have a choice — that because the claim is now being handled by an insurance company, they must use the garage the insurer has provided.

This is a common misunderstanding.

In the majority of cases, regardless of whether you are at fault or not, you legally have the right to choose your preferred bodyshop or garage to repair your vehicle.

As long as the repair is assessed and approved by the insurer before the work is carried out, the insurance company must accept that choice and pay for the agreed repair.

Insurance companies may recommend a repairer to manage their claims process, but that recommendation does not usually override your right to have your vehicle repaired by a bodyshop you trust.

If you’re looking for a trusted, independent repairer, you can find out more about Bodyshop Manchester and how we support customers after an accident.

Do I Have to Use the Garage or Bodyshop My Insurance Has Recommended After an Accident?

After an accident, many drivers are told by their insurer that repairs can be arranged at a recommended or approved bodyshop. What isn’t always made clear is that you are not legally required to use the bodyshop your insurance company suggests.

As the vehicle owner, you usually have the right to choose where your car is repaired, provided the work is carried out professionally and the costs are agreed with the insurer.

Will the Insurance Company Still Pay for the Repair If I Choose My Own Garage or Bodyshop?

Yes.

Your insurance company will pay for the repair as long as the work has been assessed and approved by the insurer before it is carried out.

Choosing your own garage or bodyshop does not prevent the insurer from covering the repair. What matters is that the damage is properly assessed, the repair method is justified, and the costs are agreed in advance.

Professional bodyshops work directly with insurers using recognised estimating systems such as Audatex, allowing repairs to be reviewed and authorised in the same way as insurer-recommended repairers.

If you choose your own bodyshop, the insurer still authorises the repair, the approved repair cost is paid, and no additional chargeable work is carried out without consent. As long as approval is in place before repairs begin, the insurer remains responsible for the agreed cost.

Does It Take Longer to Approve the Repair If I Choose My Own Bodyshop?

No, choosing your own bodyshop does not mean that the repair will take longer to approve.

At Bodyshop Manchester, we carry out accident repairs every week, working directly with insurance companies on behalf of our customers.

In the vast majority of cases, we are able to inspect the vehicle and prepare a full repair estimate the same day using Audatex, the insurance-approved system used across the UK for accident repair assessments.

Once the estimate is complete, we submit it directly to the insurance company. Because of our experience dealing with insurers and our adherence to approved repair methods, around 99% of our estimates are approved without challenge, typically within 24 to 48 hours.

As soon as approval is received, repairs can begin straight away, with no upfront charges, no hidden costs, and no additional hassle for the customer. We manage all communication with the insurer and keep you informed at every stage.

Can I Choose My Garage or Bodyshop for Both Fault and Non-Fault Accidents?

Yes. In both fault and non-fault accidents, drivers generally retain the right to choose their preferred bodyshop. The difference lies not in whether you can choose, but in how the repair costs are approved and funded.

Non-Fault Accidents

If the accident was not your fault, you typically have the clearest freedom of choice. The at-fault insurer is responsible for covering the cost of repairs, provided they are reasonable and properly justified. You are entitled to select a bodyshop you trust, and the repairer will work directly with the insurer to agree the repair method and costs.

Fault Accidents

If the accident was your fault, you can still usually choose your preferred bodyshop. However, your own insurer may apply policy conditions such as an excess payment, agreed labour rates, or limits on courtesy car provision. These conditions affect how the repair is paid for, not your ability to choose where the work is carried out.

Are There Some Cases Where I Can’t Choose My Own Bodyshop?

There are limited situations where your choice may be restricted, and these are usually linked to policy terms or funding conditions, rather than the repair itself.

Examples include insurance policies that specifically restrict repairer choice, labour rate limits set by the insurer, optional benefits tied to using a network repairer (such as courtesy cars or extended warranties), or cases where the vehicle is deemed a total loss.

Even in these situations, the key principle remains the same. Repair costs must be assessed and approved in advance. Where a vehicle is repairable and approval is in place, insurers will usually work with the bodyshop you choose.

Do I Have to Pay Anything If the Insurance Repairs My Car?

At Bodyshop Manchester, we make sure there are never any surprises. You will always be told in advance if there are any costs that are not covered by the insurance company. In around 99% of cases, the insurer covers the full cost of the repair because the work is agreed and approved before any repairs begin.

In most insurance repairs, no payment is required upfront. The approved cost of the repair is paid directly by the insurance company to the bodyshop.

You may only need to contribute if:

• the accident was your fault and your policy excess applies
• you choose work or options outside what the insurer has approved

If the accident was not your fault, repairs are typically covered in full by the at-fault insurer, and you would not normally need to pay anything.

What System Do Bodyshops Use to Send a Quote to the Insurance Company?

At Bodyshop Manchester, we use Audatex to assess damage and submit repair quotes. Using Audatex helps expedite repairs because it is the same insurance-approved system used by insurance companies and main dealers to quote accident repairs.

Audatex allows labour times, parts, and manufacturer-approved repair methods to be applied consistently. Because insurers use the same system, quotes can be reviewed and authorised quickly, helping repairs start without unnecessary delay.

Insurance Repairs at Bodyshop Manchester

At Bodyshop Manchester, we carry out insurance accident repairs on a daily basis and work directly with insurance companies to make the process as straightforward as possible for our customers.

From initial inspection through to final repair, we handle the process on your behalf. This includes assessing damage, preparing and submitting insurance repair estimates, responding to insurer queries, and managing approvals so repairs can begin promptly.

How to Book Your Insurance Repair

You can contact us directly after an accident, whether a claim has already been opened or not. We can inspect your vehicle, prepare the insurance estimate, liaise with the insurer, and begin repairs as soon as approval is received.

You do not need to wait for an insurer to book you in elsewhere before speaking to us.

If you’ve been involved in a collision and need professional help, you can find out more about our accident repair services in Manchester and how we manage the repair from start to finish.

If you want your vehicle repaired properly, safely, and transparently by a bodyshop you trust, contact Bodyshop Manchester and let us handle your insurance accident repair with confidence. You can also book it on our Insurance Repairs dedicated page.