When your car needs repairs after an accident, who gets to choose the repairer? It’s a question many Australian drivers overlook until they’re filing a claim. Choice of repairer car insurance gives you the power to select your own mechanic or panel beater, rather than being directed to an insurer’s preferred network. But this flexibility often comes at a cost, and understanding whether it’s worth it requires a closer look.
At National Cover, we believe in transparency when it comes to your policy options. As motor insurance specialists, we know that repair quality and convenience matter just as much as the premium you pay. This guide breaks down exactly what choice of repairer means, explores the benefits and drawbacks, and compares which insurers offer this feature, so you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and budget.
Why choice of repairer matters after a crash
Your vehicle represents a significant investment, and when damage occurs, the quality of repairs directly affects your safety, resale value, and long-term reliability. Most insurers maintain relationships with preferred repair networks that offer them bulk discounts and streamlined processes. While these arrangements benefit the insurer, you might find yourself at a workshop you’ve never heard of, with no say in who handles your car. This lack of control can feel frustrating, especially when you’ve spent years building trust with a local mechanic who knows your vehicle’s history.
Trust and relationship with your mechanic
You’ve likely developed a relationship with a trusted mechanic or panel beater over the years. They understand your car’s quirks, service history, and any previous repairs. When you’re forced to use an insurer’s preferred repairer, you lose this continuity of care and the peace of mind that comes with it. Your usual mechanic might use genuine parts, take extra care with older vehicles, or provide advice tailored to your specific needs. Choice of repairer car insurance lets you maintain these valuable relationships when you need them most, ensuring your vehicle receives the attention and expertise you’ve come to rely on.
Quality control and peace of mind
Insurers’ preferred repairers work under tight time and cost constraints that can affect the standard of workmanship. You have no guarantee they’ll use genuine manufacturer parts, match paint colours precisely, or take the extra steps your regular mechanic would. When you choose your own repairer, you can verify their qualifications, check reviews, and ensure they meet your standards before handing over your keys. This control becomes particularly important for high-value vehicles, classic cars, or any situation where precise restoration matters.
"The quality of crash repairs can impact your vehicle’s safety features, structural integrity, and warranty coverage, making your choice of repairer a decision with lasting consequences."
Having the freedom to select who repairs your car means you can hold them accountable directly, ask questions throughout the process, and build a relationship that extends beyond a single insurance claim.
How choice of repairer works in Australia
Australian insurers typically offer two approaches to vehicle repairs. The standard approach directs you to their preferred repair network, which consists of workshops that have agreed to specific rates and timeframes with the insurer. These arrangements often result in lower premiums because the insurer can control costs and streamline the claims process. When you add choice of repairer to your policy, you pay a higher premium but gain the freedom to select any licensed repairer you trust.
Standard policies vs choice of repairer policies
Standard comprehensive policies without this option require you to accept the insurer’s approved repairer. You’ll receive contact details after lodging your claim, and the workshop handles most communication directly with your insurer. The arrangement often includes lifetime warranties on repairs and guaranteed parts supply, but you sacrifice control over who touches your vehicle. Choice of repairer car insurance reverses this dynamic by letting you nominate your preferred workshop, though you might face different warranty terms or need to coordinate more of the repair process yourself.
"Most Australian insurers structure choice of repairer as an optional add-on rather than a standard feature, affecting both your premium and your excess amounts."
The cost difference between these options typically ranges from 10% to 20% more on your annual premium, though this varies significantly between insurers and your specific circumstances.
When it’s worth paying extra and when it’s not
The decision to pay extra for choice of repairer car insurance depends on your vehicle’s value, your relationship with existing mechanics, and how much control matters to you. This optional feature isn’t essential for everyone, and you should weigh the additional premium against the benefits you’ll actually use. Understanding your priorities helps you avoid paying for coverage you don’t need while ensuring you have protection where it counts.
Situations where it makes sense
You should consider paying extra when you own a high-value or specialty vehicle that requires specific expertise or genuine manufacturer parts. Classic cars, modified vehicles, and prestige brands often need specialists who understand their unique requirements. If you’ve already established a relationship with a trusted repairer, especially one familiar with your vehicle’s history, the premium increase protects this valuable connection. Additionally, if you live in a regional area with limited approved repairers, having choice means you can use your local mechanic rather than travelling long distances to an insurer’s network workshop.
"Vehicle owners who value long-term resale value and want to maintain detailed service records with a single repairer typically find the extra premium worthwhile."
When the standard option works fine
For newer, common mainstream vehicles still under manufacturer warranty, insurers’ preferred repairers often provide perfectly adequate service using approved parts and methods. If you don’t have an existing mechanic relationship or your vehicle is relatively basic and straightforward to repair, the cost savings from a standard policy make sense. Most preferred repairers offer solid warranties and handle coordination directly with your insurer, reducing your administrative burden during an already stressful time.
Common limits and traps to watch for
Choice of repairer car insurance sounds straightforward, but insurers attach specific conditions that can catch you off guard during a claim. Understanding these limitations before you need to make a claim prevents frustration and unexpected costs. Some restrictions seem minor in the policy wording but can significantly affect your experience when you’re dealing with accident repairs and want to use your preferred workshop.
Excess and out-of-pocket costs
Many policies impose a higher excess amount when you choose your own repairer instead of using the insurer’s network. This difference can range from an extra $200 to $500 on top of your standard excess, adding substantial cost to your claim. You might also face upfront payment requirements, where you need to pay your repairer directly and then seek reimbursement from your insurer, creating cashflow pressure during an already stressful time.
"Insurers often cap their contribution to non-network repairs at a set rate per hour, leaving you to cover any difference between this amount and your repairer’s actual charges."
Pre-approval and administrative burdens
Your insurer typically requires you to obtain written approval before authorising repairs at your chosen workshop, which can delay the process compared to their streamlined network arrangements. You’ll likely need to coordinate quotes, assessments, and progress updates yourself rather than having the repairer handle communication directly with your insurer. Some policies also exclude certain types of repairers or require your chosen workshop to meet specific licensing standards, potentially limiting your options despite having this coverage.
Which insurers offer choice of repairer
Most major Australian insurers offer choice of repairer car insurance as an optional add-on rather than a standard inclusion. The availability and terms vary significantly between providers, with some offering it automatically on premium policies while others require you to specifically request and pay extra for this feature. Understanding which insurers provide this option helps you narrow your search and compare policies that match your priorities. You’ll find that pricing structures, excess amounts, and restrictions differ considerably, making direct comparison essential before committing to any policy.
Major providers offering this feature
Several established insurers provide choice of repairer options within their comprehensive policies. NRMA Insurance, RACV, AAMI, and Allianz all offer this feature, though the terms and additional premiums vary. You can typically add it when obtaining your initial quote or during policy renewal. Some providers bundle it with premium policy tiers, while others treat it as a standalone optional extra that increases your base premium by a set percentage.
"Most insurers require you to specifically select choice of repairer during the quote process, as it doesn’t automatically apply to standard comprehensive policies."
What to check before choosing
Beyond simple availability, you need to examine the specific conditions each insurer attaches to this option. Compare the excess differences between using their network versus your chosen repairer, as some insurers impose significantly higher amounts. Check whether they require pre-approval for all repairs or only those exceeding certain thresholds. Review their hourly rate caps and whether they cover genuine parts from your selected workshop, as these factors directly affect your out-of-pocket costs during claims.
Your next steps
You now understand what choice of repairer car insurance offers and whether the additional premium justifies the flexibility for your situation. Start by reviewing your current policy to see if you already have this option or what it would cost to add. Compare quotes from multiple insurers that offer this feature, paying close attention to excess differences, hourly rate caps, and pre-approval requirements that might affect your actual out-of-pocket costs during a claim.
If you decide this coverage makes sense for your needs, gather information about your preferred repairer’s qualifications and rates before purchasing a policy. This preparation helps you identify any potential conflicts with insurer requirements early. At National Cover, we specialise in comprehensive motor insurance that balances competitive pricing with genuine coverage. Get a quote from National Cover today to see how we can protect your vehicle with transparent pricing and expert support when you need it most.
