Choice of repairer car insurance

Choice of repairer car insurance gives you control over the repair process but the insurer's preferred network can be more convenient.

Key takeaways

  • Most car insurance providers have a preferred network of repairers they use to fix your vehicle.
  • Some companies let you choose your own repairer, possibly as an optional add-on.
  • Your own repairer might be faster and more convenient, but it could make claiming a bigger hassle.

What is choice of repairer in car insurance?

Car insurance policies that offer you a choice of repairer let you choose the mechanic if your vehicle has been damaged. Many comprehensive car insurance policies include a choice of repairer as a policy feature, some don't cover it at all and with others it's an optional add-on. If you don't have a choice of repairer, the insurer will choose the repairer.

Who offers a choice of repairer in Australia?

Here's a list of all the major car insurers in Australia, including if they let you choose your repairer with their comprehensive policy. If it is listed as optional, you'll have pay extra to choose your own repairer.

ProviderChoice of repairer
AAMI
Allianz
Bingle
Budget DirectOptional
Coles Optional
GIO
KoganOptional
NRMA Optional
RAA
RAC
RACT
RACV Optional
RACQ
Real
Suncorp
VirginOptional
Westpac
Everyday
YouiOptional
CommBank
QBEOptional

Pros and cons of having your choice of repairer

Pros

  • Can be faster as there's less chance of a backlog
  • Can be closer to home than the insurer's repairer
  • You can go with a repairer you know and trust

Cons

  • Repairer's guarantee only – not the lifetime guarantee you get with the insurer's repairer
  • You may need to pay upfront and wait for the insurer to reimburse you
  • You may need to negotiate the price with the repairer, not the insurer
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Our expert says

"Having your choice of repairer can be good for those with high value cars who care a lot about where or who it gets repaired by. Sometimes people with electric or hybrid vehicles prefer to nominate a repairer who they know is well-versed in these vehicles. Personally, I’ve never bothered to pay extra for this feature. I like that going with the insurer’s repairer means that they’re accountable for the quality of the repair and I don’t have to pay extra."

Publisher of Insurance

Percy’s car insurance experience without his choice of repairer

My experience using the insurer's recommended repair shop was a mixed bag. On the positive side, the process was very convenient. The insurance company provided me with a list of their preferred repair shops, and I chose one in my area. They were familiar with the insurance procedures, which meant less hassle for me. The repair shop had a direct billing arrangement with the insurer, so I didn't have to pay out of pocket and then wait for reimbursement, which was a relief.

However, the downside was that I felt like I had limited control over the repair process. The repair shop's communication left a lot to be desired. They didn't keep me well-informed about the progress, and I had to make several calls to get updates. This lack of transparency was frustrating, and I felt somewhat in the dark about what was happening with my car.

The quality of the repair work was decent, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I might have received better service and communication had I chosen my own trusted repairer. The entire experience made me realise the importance of clear and consistent communication during the repair process, and the value of having the freedom to choose a repair shop based on my own experiences and preferences.

In the future, I might be more inclined to use my own repairer, even if it involves more paperwork and potentially paying upfront.

Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.
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Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

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Gary Ross has written 593 Finder guides across topics including:
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Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    MarieMay 27, 2025

    How do I get started?

      AvatarFinder
      TimMay 29, 2025Finder

      Hey Marie,

      You can use the comparison tools on this page to get started comparing car insurance policies. Once you’ve received a few quotes for a policy, you’ll be in the best spot to make the best choice for your needs.

      Good luck!

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