Common car insurance myths
Jason Barker • January 2, 2024
Every day, we have customers phoning up or coming in to see us, bewildered about things their insurance companies have told them. We endeavour to make sure everyone knows their rights when it comes to insurance issues, making for a stress-free repair process, should the worst happen.
- You must take your vehicle to a repair centre specified by your insurance company – False! Following an incident, your insurance company is likely to tell you that you must take your vehicle to one of their approved repair centres, regardless of the distance between your address and the garage itself! We’ve seen many customers sending their vehicles to towns and cities a substantial distance away from them for repair, when they didn’t need to!
In reality, it is your right to take your vehicle to any repair centre of your choosing. We always recommend doing your due diligence to select a reputable repair centre and staying local where possible – visit out blog ‘What are the benefits of using a local repairer?’ for further information. - Your insurance company will only repair your car with new and genuine parts – Not true! If you did decide to go with your insurance company’s recommended approved repairer, your insurer may have granted them the use of non-genuine and/or used parts. Whilst this may result in a lower repair cost, it may also compromise the safety of your vehicle.
It’s worth checking your insurance policy documents to see exactly what you’ve agreed to. - Personal car insurance covers business use – Many people are unaware that their insurance policy doesn’t cover them for business use in line with their job role. If you’re travelling to more than one place during a day for your job, you may need to purchase additional business coverage.
- Claiming on your insurance policy will always result in a significant increase in your premiums – Incorrect! We see so many customers here at CARS, and many are hesitant to claim on their insurance policies, even after major accidents! People tend to assume that making a claim will result in an extortionate rise in premium costs but in reality, the premium is likely to go up by a minimal amount, if at all. For example, we might estimate that it costs £2,500 to repair damage to your vehicle. It’s almost impossible for your insurance to go up by this amount. As a result, making a claim might be in your best interests.
- Your premium will automatically decrease each year
– Sadly, no. Many people assume that their insurance premium will go down on renewal each year. However, research has shown that insurance costs are on the rise – visit our blog ‘Is the cost of car insurance going up?’ for further information.
There are also many other reasons your premium may increase, such as change of address, change in vehicle or change in occupation, among others. We also encourage our customers to do their research before accepting the auto-renewal price supplied by their insurers, as there may be cheaper options available.
Does Buying a Used Car from a Business That Also Carries Out Accident Repairs Mean It Has Been Accident Damaged?
We’re incredibly proud to announce that CARS of Grimsby has been shortlisted in three categories at the Greener Bodyshop Awards 2026
CARS of Grimsby now offers quality used cars and vans for sale, backed by years of trusted vehicle repair experience and customer care.
Here at Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby, we pride ourselves on the service received by our customers. Each vehicle we sell meets our quality standards; each customer journey is seamless and stress-free.
Most people buying a used car look at the mileage, service history and overall condition. We look much deeper. Years of repairing accident damaged vehicles has trained our eyes to spot things that many people would never notice. Subtle differences in paint finish, panel gaps, replacement panels, poor welding or signs of previous structural repairs can all reveal a vehicle's past, even when that damage has never appeared on an insurance database or history check.
When you work with vehicles every day, you quickly learn what separates a great used car from a poor one.
For many years, CARS of Grimsby has supported motorists with trusted accident repair and vehicle care services. As a family owned and run business, we have always believed that great service comes down to doing the job to the best of our ability, communicating honestly and treating every customer as an individual. Those values have helped us build strong relationships with motorists, insurers and businesses, and they remain just as important to us today. Now, we are preparing to begin an exciting new chapter. Decades of Accident Repair Experience in Grimsby CARS of Grimsby is best known as an established and multi-award-winning accident repair centre, helping customers get back on the road following everything from minor bumps to more significant damage. That work has given our team a detailed and thorough understanding of vehicles and their condition. When you spend years repairing bodywork, checking panel alignment and assessing previous damage, you learn to notice the details that may not always be obvious at first glance. You also learn how important quality, safety and honesty are to motorists. Our team has developed this knowledge through experience, ongoing training and working with a wide range of vehicles over many years. It is experience we are proud of, and it will remain at the heart of the next chapter of CARS of Grimsby.
Had an accident and not sure what happens next? You’re not alone.
At CARS of Grimsby, our friendly team are on hand to offer honest advice and guidance throughout the insurance claims process. We’ll help you understand your options, and explain what you do (and don’t) have to do after an accident.
In May, the team attended the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards, organised by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce. The CARS team was awarded the Forrester Boyd Business Excellence Award.
CARS of Grimsby celebrates three Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards nominations, recognising leadership, business growth and employee success in 2025.
