nsurance companies arrange accident repairs to keep their costs down, but vehicle owners have the right to choose where they have their vehicle repaired.
Many insurers have networks of “approved” repairers and will try to coerce motorists into using their network, but motorists are not obliged to do this.
The Association of British Insurers, the Financial Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading all agree the choice is the consumer's and there are very few exceptions to this rule