Choice of repairer: can I pick my own panel beater?

Sometimes. In Australia, many comprehensive car insurance policies include a "choice of repairer" option, either as standard or as an extra you pay for. If your policy has it, you can nominate the panel beater you trust instead of being sent to the insurer's preferred shop. If it doesn't, the insurer picks.

What the option actually means

With choice of repairer, you choose who repairs the car after an insured event. The insurer still assesses the damage and approves the repair, and your excess still applies. Some policies say that if your chosen repairer's quote is higher than what the insurer would pay their own network, you may have to pay the difference, so it's worth reading that clause.

Without it, the insurer directs you to a repairer from their network. The work is usually guaranteed by the insurer, but you don't get a say in who does it.

How to check your policy

1. Open your product disclosure statement (PDS) or your policy schedule.
2. Search for "repairer" or "choice of repairer".
3. If it's listed as an optional extra, check your schedule to see whether you've taken it.
4. If you're not sure, call the insurer and ask directly: "Does my policy let me choose my own repairer?"

Comparison sites note that only some Australian insurers offer the option, and that it's generally only available on comprehensive cover. Policies change, so check your own rather than relying on what a mate's insurer does.

Why people want it

• They've used a repairer before and trust the work.
• They want the panel and paint done in-house rather than farmed out.
• They want to talk to the person doing the job.
• They'd rather deal with a local shop than a repair centre across town.

How to nominate H&H

If your policy allows it, tell the insurer when you lodge the claim that you want to use H&H Smash Repairs, 77 Moss St, Slacks Creek QLD 4127, phone 0402 106 456. Then send us the photos or bring the car in. We'll prepare the quote in the format the assessor needs and deal with them directly. You stay in the loop on timing and parts.

If you don't have the option

You have three choices:

1. Use the insurer's repairer. Fine for many jobs, and the insurer stands behind the work.
2. Pay privately and skip the claim, if the damage is small. See our guide on claiming versus paying privately.
3. At renewal, switch to a policy that includes choice of repairer, if it matters to you.

A note on what we don't do

We don't list insurer logos on this site or claim to be "approved" by anyone. Policy terms are between you and your insurer. What we do is quote honestly, work with assessors on customers' claims, and do the panel work and paint ourselves at Moss St.

Questions about a claim you're in the middle of? Call us and we'll talk it through.