Local smash repair owners Mick and Cathy Boyd are concerned about the impact major insurance companies are having on the local smash repair industry.
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Mick and Cathy have owned Nambucca Smash Repairs for almost 24 years. They have seen a lot of changes, and some by the major insurance companies are not for the better of the community and local employment.
Mick and Cathy say they have seen a large downturn in the workshop due to insurance companies dictating where customers have to get their cars repaired.
"People need to check their insurance policies, to avoid being told they have to take their car to Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie or somewhere else after they have had an accident.
"It is stressful enough when you see your car bent and twisted, let alone be told by your insurance company that your vehicle is going to be taken to a smash repairer that you don't even know.
The simple steps to follow are:
1. Change insurance company to one that allows you a choice of repairer
2. Pay the extra small fee so you get choice of repairer so you know where your pride and joy is going to be repaired.
3. Ring your insurance company and inquire about the choice of repairer.
Mick and Cathy always put their customers first and living in a small community, word of mouth means a lot, so they make sure the work is always done professionally and efficiently.
"These insurance companies will lead you to believe if you get your vehicle repaired somewhere other than their preferred repairer you will void the warranty or the repair might not be up to manufacturers standard.
"This is completely false as repair shops have to give a warranty on all repair work done, the insurance company make sure of this.
"If we do a repair that is unsatisfactory, we have to fix it at our own expense, not the insurance companies, as they would have you believe.
"We have invested heavily on making sure we have kept up-to-date with all the modern repair equipment and the latest methods in repairing vehicles in this ever-changing industry.
"So we are trying to get the message out there, check your insurance policy, read it carefully and if it doesn't suit your needs, change companies."
"If you are the victim of an accident, you are not at fault and the "at fault" insurance company are paying for repairs, you don't have to go to one of their repairers, you can choose whichever repairer you like.
"You will still get the same warranty on repairs as if you went to their repairer.
"The repairer gives the warranty, not the insurance company."