AFCA gives Aussie motorists back the right to choose their repairer
So your car is out of commission after an accident and you have to find another mode of transport to get to work or pick up your kids from school. That inconvenience is stressful and time-consuming enough - and now your car insurer has refused the repairer you’ve chosen with little or no explanation.
If you’ve ever found yourself in this frustrating situation, you’re not alone. For years car insurers have been rejecting consumer’s chosen repairers, taking advantage of a clause many car insurance policies have, allowing insurers to reject the consumer’s chosen repairer at their discretion.
But things are about to get a lot easier for motorists all over Australia, as the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has instructed car insurer’s to use the motorists’ choice of repairer, as promised in their policies.
As Geoff Gwilym, CEO of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said “AFCA found, in case 620915, in favour of the consumer because the consumer had purchased an insurance policy that gave them the right to choose their repairer, and the insurer was found to not have met its contractual obligations, under the policy.”
“This ruling reinforces a motorist’s right – where they have a ‘choice of repairer’ policy – to have their vehicle repaired where they choose.”
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AFCA has not only given drivers back their right to choose, but with this landmark decision also discouraged underfunded or incomplete repairs and unfair cash settlements.
Previously insurers would often opt for a repairer with a cheaper estimate, giving the insurer an excuse to provide the consumer with an unfair cash settlement.
In other cases, when the job wasn’t done properly the vehicle would wind up being re-repaired by the repairer the driver chose initially, wasting time and money.
As Gwilym said, “AFCA has restored the policyholder’s choice of repairer rights and a right to have their vehicle repaired to a safe standard.”
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So the next time you need your car repaired, you can feel confident in your right to choose your own repairer. If your insurer does insist on going with a different repairer, you can ask them for a full explanation and what the proposed repair methods are, for example, if the repairer intends to use new or second-hand parts.
But when picking out a car insurance policy for your wheels, it’s important to remember that not all policies offer the right to choose your own repairer, despite how important it can be for drivers. In fact, having your choice of repairer was one of the factors we took into consideration when awarding car insurers the 2018 Mozo Expert’s Choice Award for Exceptional Quality.
Why not take a look at the winners, or check out our car insurance policies comparison tool.
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Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
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- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $1,850
- Agreed or market value
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Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
- New car if written off
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- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $1,000 total.
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Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
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Comprehensive Car Insurance
Stella have created a more intuitive experience and offer a product that’s been designed with women in mind; offering premium benefits, and optional extras and rewards for being a safe driver. Stella are back by QBE. Get a quick quote online in 40 seconds and insured in 4 minutes. Purchase a new comprehensive car insurance policy from Stella by 30th June 2022 and receive a $100 EGift Card*. T&Cs apply.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- No
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- $800 - $2,000
- Agreed or market value
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- No Claim Discount
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Stella have created a more intuitive experience and offer a product that’s been designed with women in mind; offering premium benefits, and optional extras and rewards for being a safe driver. Stella are back by QBE. Get a quick quote online in 40 seconds and insured in 4 minutes. Purchase a new comprehensive car insurance policy from Stella by 30th June 2022 and receive a $100 EGift Card*. T&Cs apply.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 3 years and 60,000 km of original registration
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- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $0 on every windscreen claim for an additional premium.
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- $600 for listed drivers under 25. $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 25
- Roadside assistance
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- Receive a $100 eGift card for new Comprehensive Car Insurance policies purchased from Stella by 30th June 2022.
- Other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Stella Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
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- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $5,000
- Agreed or market value
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- Pay As You Drive Cover With Pricing Tiers Available For Limited Kms.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Huddle Car Insurance, Pay as you drive & save up to 30% (T&Cs apply). 24/7 claims lodgement and new-for-old replacement (under 2 years).
- New car if written off
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- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $70 per day.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Optional Extra. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 10 days, max $70 per day.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce excess for first windscreen claim each year to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
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- Young driver excess imposed
- $1,200 for listed drivers under 21, $800 for listed drivers under 24, $2,000 for unlisted drivers under 21, $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 24, $800 for inexperienced drivers over 24, $800 for learner drivers.
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Service
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Huddle Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Easier, better, smarter car insurance. Say g’day to ROLLiN'. They've taken the complicated out of car insurance and created a new route that's simple, u-turn free and keeps you in the driver’s seat. No cancellation fees, 24/7 online claims service and a policy that’s pay monthly. Buy now and boost your single car value under your policy by 15%. Excesses Apply.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
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- Choice of excess
- $800 Flat Excess Fee
- Agreed or market value
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Comprehensive Car Insurance
Easier, better, smarter car insurance. Say g’day to ROLLiN'. They've taken the complicated out of car insurance and created a new route that's simple, u-turn free and keeps you in the driver’s seat. No cancellation fees, 24/7 online claims service and a policy that’s pay monthly. Buy now and boost your single car value under your policy by 15%. Excesses Apply.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 15,000km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day
- Rental car after accident
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - $0 windscreen excess
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- No additional excess for young drivers. $3,000 for unlisted drivers
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- Optional benefit to boost the Single Car Value by 15%, it will be shown on your Insurance Certificate
- Other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about ROLLiN' Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
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- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $2,500
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- 20% Discount On Contents Insurance If Youi Car Insurance Also Held
Comprehensive Car Insurance
When change happens to you, like a new or used car, think Youi - a car insurer that’s all about you and where your life’s at right now. Start a quote with Youi today to see what you could save. Mozo People’s Choice Most Recommended Car Insurance award winner in 2021^.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years and a listed driver is the first registered owner
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- Yes for drivers under 25 years old - amount varies per policy
- Roadside assistance
- Yes
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance
* Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Car Insurance Awards