Is it normal practice to sign a credit agreement to have my car repaired?

Several weeks ago another vehicle ran into the back of my car causing minor damage; cracked number plate and small star shaped crack to bumper. Insurance is with Hastings, who have passed me onto Auxillis, who want me to sign a credit agreement to get my car repaired and a hire car. I have never experienced this before with car insurance and am reluctant to sign a credit agreement to repair my car which will leave me liable for all cost even though it seems a clear cut third party fault. Is this normal practice and should I sign? If not, can my insurance refuse repair?

Asked on 21 June 2017 by Kelvin

Answered by Honest John
Auxillis are not your insurance company and have no relation to them, other than your insurer obtaining a referral fee for passing your details across to them. Your insurer cannot refuse to repair your car as that would be breach of contract. You can advise that you wish to make a claim via your own policy rather than Auxillis. When you enter a credit agreement, you are liable for all cost till they are reclaimed. They principle part of the agreement is that you are "impecunious" i.e. you do not have the funds to hire a car or pay for the repairs of the car yourself. Auxillis also profit from your claim, they force their repairers to repair your car at much lower rates than the market rate, then charge the at fault insurer the "retail rate" you are entitled too.
This is covered under the case law "Coles V Hetherton": www.honestjohn.co.uk/insurance/coles-v-hetherton-w.../ This difference in "monies" is your money not theirs, when you sign that agreement you are agreeing to them having your money.

Any claim made under "Tort Law" is about financial loss under what is called a "Chattel" i.e. your vehicle, not about repairing your car. You may find your vehicle is not repaired to manufacturer's standards or has bits of the repair process omitted as the repairer is forced to repair for as little as possible so the claims management company make more profit. I would ask them to provide evidence it will be repaired to manufacturer's standards and that the vehicle has pre and post diagnostic checks carried out on it whilst being repaired before agreeing to anything.
Similar questions
I was involved in a car accident last year and the other party admitted liability. His insurance company rang and confirmed liability both to me and my insurers. My insurance duly paid for all the repairs...
My car was involved in an accident last week. It was being driven by a valet parking driver (driving towards Gatwick to meet us at the airport). My car has been written off and two other cars have been...
While parked on the street, our car received damage to the rear light and bodywork but no details were left of the offending vehicle. Our insurance policy does not have no claims protection and the excess...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer