Legally you are entitled to request who repairs your vehicle.
Your insurer can not increase your excess for choosing who repairs your vehicle.
Ensure your vehicle returns to its original manufacturer standards*. We use 100% genuine manufacturer parts fitted by our manufacturer qualified technicians.
*Only applies to BMW & MINI repairs.
Important information: If you are unfortunately involved in an accident and need to make a claim on your insurance policy.
We employ BMW/MINI trained technicians, use the very latest BMW/MINI repair techniques, genuine BMW/MINI parts, paint and specialist equipment that conform to BMW/MINI's strict tolerances to ensure that, following an accident, your vehicle is restored to its original EURO NCAP safety rating, and you get a 100% BMW/MINI returned to you, including a Lifetime workmanship guarantee.*
Unfortunately, some insurance companies are discouraging their policyholders from choosing a BMW/MINI approved repairer, by stating that unless another repairer is used, there will be an increased excess.
The insurers’ repairer may possibly save costs by not employing BMW/MINI trained technicians (their staff often work on a variety of different types of vehicles) and in particular by fitting non-genuine BMW/MINI parts. A sub-standard repair may not become apparent for several years, and a future purchaser of your vehicle may ask for evidence that repairs have been carried out by a BMW/MINI approved repairer. The employment of a non-BMW/MINI approved repairer may significantly affect the value of your vehicle.
Legally, you are entitled to request that your BMW/MINI is repaired by the people who know it best – such as Halliwell Jones BMW/MINI Approved Bodyshop, at no extra cost to you.
If your insurer states you must pay an increased excess for choosing Halliwell Jones to repair your vehicle, we recommend you advise your insurer:
1. The purpose of my insurance is as far as possible, to put me back in the position I was in before the accident.
2. When the insurance contract was arranged, a premium was charged for a BMW/MINI.
3. The vehicle should be repaired by a BMW/MINI approved repairer, employing BMW/MINI trained technicians using genuine BMW/MINI parts, so that after the repair, I get a 100% BMW/MINI returned to me, and issued with a Lifetime workmanship guarantee.
4. It is an unfair practice to financially penalise me for having my vehicle repaired by a BMW/MINI approved repairer.
5. If they maintain the increased excess applies, I ask can it be treated as an official complaint, and I expect to promptly receive your Complaint Handling Procedure.
6. If my complaint is not upheld, I will may refer the matter to:
a. The Financial Ombudsman Service and mention that your practice may be in breach of The Consumer Rights Act 2015;
b. The Financial Conduct Authority and state that you are not meeting my “demands and needs” and you may not be “treating customers fairly”.
*Only applies to BMW and MINI.
Your local Halliwell Jones bodyshop.
If you need any help or advice please contact your local BMW or MINI bodyshop:
Chester: 01244 393600
Warrington: 01925 248000
Wilmslow: 0161 486 2080
