When you use the dealer in this way they will often do it on a similar basis as a credit hire car eg you sign a credit agreement for the repairs.

If you don't report it to the insurance company and then someone refuses to pay your local garage where do you go. Not having reported it may leave you with a big argument or even a refusal if that is in the T & C's.

We are insured with Aviva. Clearly states in the documentation that you can have the car repaired wherever you want but there is an additional £200 excess if they are not an approved repairer. It also clearly states that you will not get a loan car if you do not use an approved repairer.

When dad's Primera was rear ended he wanted his car repairing at a Nissan approved repairer and not a insurance approved body shop. He also wanted the hire car he had paid for in his premium and full warranty of the repairs. Easily sorted by myself, told the insurers he was happy using their approved repairers but wanted a Nissan garage to do the work, they looked for the nearest Nissan approved repairer on their list, 20 miles away and the next day the car was collected, loan car left and the reverse when the work was complete. Great service and no extra to pay.