Why should I use CARS instead of my insurer’s approved repairer?

Jason Barker • June 30, 2023

There are many advantages to using an independent body shop over an insurance approved repairer.


Firstly, most people assume that they do not have access to a loan vehicle if they use an independent repair centre like CARS of Grimsby. At CARS, we offer hybrid courtesy vehicles to our customers whilst their vehicles are being repaired.


An independent repair centre like CARS usually attracts customers based on referrals, recommendations and other reviews. Conversely, insurance approved repairers have an endless stream of vehicles to repair, automatically passed to them via insurers and other work providers. Therefore, they do not have to worry so much about reviews based on quality and customer service.


Additionally, just because a repair centre is not insurance approved, does not mean they don’t adhere to high repair standards. When searching for an independent repairer, we would always advise doing due diligence. Here are some questions you could ask:


  • Will the estimator be using manufacturer repair methods to create the estimate?
  • How long will the repairs be guaranteed for?
  • Does the brand of paint used carry a manufacturer warranty?
  • Does the repair centre have a complaints procedure?


If you are obtaining estimates from various garages, ask each estimator to explain the repair process to you. This should give you a good idea of who is the most thorough and has the most knowledge.


It is also important to find out whether your chosen repairer will be using new and genuine parts to repair your vehicle. It is worth checking your insurance policy documents as a lot of insurance approved repairers are contracted to use non-genuine and second-hand parts where possible. The benefit of using a high-quality independent repairer (like CARS) is having the peace of mind that your vehicle will be repaired using new and genuine parts. Again, it is important to carry out your due diligence.


An extremely important factor when choosing your repairer, is to ensure that they are equipped to repair vehicles with up-to-date technology. This includes, but is not limited to, recalibrating cameras, lasers and other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Visit our ADAS blog for more information.


Using a local accident repair centre like CARS also means you can revisit us if anything were to go wrong, or if you have any further concerns in the future.  


We always recommend phoning CARS prior to phoning your insurance company to ensure you receive high-quality customer service and credible advice tailored to your individual circumstances. 

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Young person driving a car.

What is young driver excess?

By Ebony Barker • February 13, 2025
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.
Person filling out a form on a clipboard, in a car.

What is protected no-claims discount?

By Ebony Barker • January 14, 2025
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.
Personl putting oil into a vehcal.

What is a non-approved repairer excess?

By Ebony Barker • December 11, 2024
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.
Mini driving on the road.

Things to look out for in your car insurance policy fine print

By Ebony Barker • November 4, 2024
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.
Front of a white car.

What is car insurance fronting?

By Ebony Barker • November 4, 2024
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.

What is traffic sign recognition?

By Ebony Barker • October 1, 2024
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.
Driving on the motorway at night in the rain.

What is blind spot detection?

By Ebony Barker • October 1, 2024
Learn how blind spot detection works from CARS of Grimsby, your local independent accident repair centre. Stay safe with ADAS insights and driving tips.
The road.

Should I admit liability after an accident?

By Ebony Barker • September 2, 2024
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.
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