Things I didn’t know before working in the motor industry…
Ebony Barker • January 2, 2024
I’ve been working in the motor industry for around a year now and with a fresh perspective, it’s clear that some of the challenges faced within the industry are eye-opening!
- Firstly, it’s become clear that not all insurance companies have their customers’ best interests at heart. Since joining CARS, I’ve realised that many (but not all) insurance companies rely on their customers not being educated about what to do when making a claim on their car insurance. For example, insurers have agreed labour rates and work methods with their approved garages, so they try and direct policyholders to take their vehicles to one of these garages. This may place the customer at a disadvantage, especially if the garage uses second-hand or non-genuine parts.
In reality, the customer has the right to take their vehicle to any garage they choose! Unfortunately, not many people actually know this, which is why we are pushing to make this a more widely known fact! - That leads me onto my next point… not all garages will fit new and genuine parts to your vehicle! In my opinion, it should go without saying that safety is paramount during a repair. However, this may become compromised if second-hand or used parts are fitted. To avoid this, you should always ask prior to booking your vehicle in at any garage!
It’s worth noting that if you choose a non-approved repairer (like CARS of Grimsby), the repairer will have the option to fit new and genuine parts, as they are not under any contract with the insurer to use second-hand or non-genuine parts. - Small bumps and scrapes aren’t actually as small as you might think. Like many people, I used to assume that minor damage only required a minor fix! It’s since become clear that what looks like small damage may result in damage that’s a lot more sinister. For example, there may be Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) components, such as sensors, which compromise your vehicle’s ability to use adaptive cruise control. These very sensors could be housed right where your bumper has a small dent. Before you know it, you need to replace a full bumper.
Regardless, safety should always be the most important aspect of the repair. - You must keep up with technological advancements in the motor industry. From electric and hybrid vehicles to autonomous driving technology, there's a constant push for innovation and adaptation to new technologies. Therefore, it’s extremely important that repairers continue to invest in the training and development of their employees, alongside consistent upgrades to equipment. For example, at CARS, our team members have regular ADAS training to ensure they can repair almost any vehicle that comes through our door. Unfortunately, the repairers not investing in these technologies will be able to repair less and less vehicles as time goes on.
At CARS, our aim is to educate our customers, arming them with as much knowledge as possible so they know what to do with their vehicle, should the worst happen!
We would like to extend a huge well done to Paul for achieving his High Voltage Technician qualification with the Volkswagen Group.
We have some exciting news to share!
Understand young driver excess and how it impacts your car insurance premiums. CARS of Grimsby offers expert advice to help new drivers make informed choices.
Many insurance companies use no-claims discount (NCD) to reward their drivers for not making a claim during a specified timeframe, usually a policy year. This, in turn, encourages sensible driving behaviour. For example, if four years pass by without a customer making a claim on their policy, they will have earned four years’ worth of no-claims discount. This discount usually results in a reduction in premium costs upon policy renewal. The discount will depend on the insurance company’s specific terms and the number of consecutive claim-free years. In some cases, there may be a maximum limit to the number of years of NCD that can be accumulated, and this should be checked with insurance companies on a case-by-case basis. Protected no-claims discount differs from standard no-claims discount in the way that an insurer may allow for more than one claim to be made before the discount is lost or reduced. A fee may be payable for this added layer of protection, commonly in the form of slightly higher premiums. We always encourage our customers to opt for the highest level of protection when it comes to their NCD. This will ensure that they have a greater level of cover if the worst happens. Always remember that if you’ve been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we have a method here at CARS which enables us to repair your car without impacting your NCD, even if it’s not protected. We also have various excess support options available to our customers. Call us on 01472 453622 for further information. Visit our blogs ‘ How do I choose the right insurance company for me? ’ and ‘ I’ve had an accident; do I have to pay my excess? ’ for further information.
A non-approved repairer excess is an additional sum that will be charged in the event that you do not use one of your insurer’s approved (preferred) garages when you make a claim. The non-approved repairer excess is commonly in the region of £250, and is charged on top of the compulsory and voluntary excess. Unfortunately, this additional excess is becoming more common and it’s increasingly difficult to find a policy without one. However, it’s important to remember that it is your right to take your vehicle to any repairer of your choice. Sometimes, a phone call with your insurer is enough for the additional excess to be removed but in more stubborn cases where your insurer is not willing to negotiate, we offer various excess support options to our customers to reduce the total amount payable. We feel that this is unfair, given that in most cases approved/ preferred repairers are allowed to fit second-hand or non-genuine parts. In comparison, here at CARS, we only use new and genuine parts. Additionally, we have an excess support package available to our customers, where the non-approved repairer excess may not be payable. If you need to make an insurance claim, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to see how we can help you.
CARS of Grimsby explain key fine print details in car insurance, from excess to non-genuine parts, helping you avoid hidden costs and protect your cover.
With the ever-increasing cost of living, we’re all on the hunt for ways to save money wherever we can. Car insurance costs have been on the rise for some time, especially for 17- to 24-year-olds. To ease these costs, it’s not uncommon for young drivers to add an older and more experienced driver, such as a parent or carer, to the policy. Listing the parent or carer on the policy as the main driver when they are not, is known as fronting and is illegal. Car insurance fronting is a type of insurance fraud and could result in a penalty such as points on your license, a fine or a driving ban. Unfortunately, fronting isn’t always detected by insurance companies. One of the main ways it could be discovered is when a claim is made, and an insurer identifies that the main driver has been disclosed incorrectly. This could result in them refusing to pay out for the claim, or they may even cancel the policy in full. You should always ensure that any information you disclose to an insurance company is correct. If you are a young driver and you’re looking at ways to lower your insurance costs, our blogs ‘ How can I reduce the cost of my car insurance as a young driver? ’ and ‘ What is black box car insurance? ’ may be useful for you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for further advice.
Traffic sign recognition systems use camera technology to scan the road ahead for traffic signs. This then connects to image processing and recognition software which makes a note of any changes and potential obstructions, before relaying a signal to the vehicle’s interior control panel or dashboard. Whilst not a necessity, this is extremely useful when travelling in an unfamiliar area, or where you are unaware of the speed limit. Like other ADAS components, traffic sign recognition is not a replacement for human due diligence and attention.
Learn how blind spot detection works from CARS of Grimsby, your local independent accident repair centre. Stay safe with ADAS insights and driving tips.
Should I admit liability after an accident? When customers phone us after an accident, we always tell them never to admit liability in the first instance. Whilst you can try and predict how you’ll react after an accident, you’ll never really know for sure until it happens. It’s an extremely stress-provoking and emotional experience, so we always recommend taking as much information as possible from the scene and phoning CARS to find out what to do next. After the accident occurs, we recommend gathering the following information: Personal details and insurance policy information for all parties involved Personal details of any witnesses Details of all vehicles involved, including registration, make and model Date and time of the incident Images/ videos of all vehicles involved, with close ups of all damage where possible Images/ videos of any road markings Dash cam footage, where available A note of the weather conditions at the time of incident As above, we always recommend contacting CARS before your insurance company. This can help you to avoid any pitfalls, and ensure you receive accurate and non-biased advice, tailored to your individual circumstances. Remember, don’t apologise or admit responsibility for anything that has occurred until you are completely aware of what happened. This will protect you if the accident wasn’t your fault, and liability will be determined fairly via evidence provided. If you want to discuss an accident you’ve been involved in, regardless of whether you were at fault, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
