What about the repairer?

24 September 2021

Insurer tactics impact all

Body repairers (panel beaters) spend endless hours working across the administrative fog of insurance-land in an attempt to correctly repair cars. 

It’s important to remember the impacts of emotional and financial stress repairing an accident damaged vehicle can have on a repairer, particularly when roadblocks appear from insurers.

Preparing repair estimates and bargaining over price is exhausting and adds little value to the actual repair. It’s not good for business or motorists.

Body repairers just want to be treated honestly and fairly by insurance companies for their commitment and duty to quality repairs, and to get paid fairly for it. 

Australia’s insurance industry has an unconscious bias towards body repairers and an automatic preference to mould repair methods into unrealistic accounting algorithms. 

Although every vehicle accident is different, insurers systemise repair methods so they fit into a piece of robotic machinery that spits out a repair price for the repairer to work within, irrespective of the real cost of the repair. 

Repair estimates written by repairers are often marked down on parts, labour, or paint, because insurers want an average repair cost to be a driving factor for each make and model of car. 

This singularly cost-driven model and conduct has reduced business profitability for decades in the automotive industry.

Fatigue has taken its toll on many repairers as they tirelessly navigate through decades old systemic issues with insurance companies.

Repairers, insurers, and consumers, all want competitive insurance policies, and competitive repair quotes, but not at the expense of local business and local employers. 

Words: VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym.

Share your thoughts! E: ceo@vacc.com.au. As featured in the Herald Sun 24 September 2021.