The Insurance Car Repair Process — Timelines, Choices & Your Rights

The repair process step-by-step

1. Initial assessment — photos or a physical inspection produce an estimate.
2. Engineer review — the insurer's engineer approves the estimate or requests changes.
3. Repair authorisation — the bodyshop is given the go-ahead.
4. Parts ordering — often the largest cause of delays.
5. Repair — panel work, paint, mechanical, calibration.
6. Post-repair QC and health-check — including ADAS calibration where sensors were disturbed.
7. Handover — with warranty paperwork.

Total time: from 3–5 days for light cosmetic damage to 4+ weeks for structural repairs with parts delays.

Approved repairer networks — pros and cons

Most insurers push you towards their approved network. Pros: fast authorisation, courtesy car, lifetime warranty. Cons: prices are squeezed, parts choices may be limited, and repairers are commercially incentivised to work quickly.

You are not legally obliged to use your insurer's approved repairer — you can choose your own bodyshop. If someone else is at fault, that choice is entirely yours.

Genuine vs. non-genuine parts

Insurers may specify 'OEM equivalent' (matching manufacturer specification) rather than genuine OEM parts to control costs. For most cars this is fine, but for prestige, warranty-critical or ADAS-related items, genuine parts matter. If in doubt, insist.

ADAS calibration

Modern cars with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, autonomous emergency braking or 360° cameras need static ADAS calibration whenever a related sensor is disturbed — even by a windscreen replacement. Miss this and safety systems may fail silently. A good bodyshop will always include this in the repair.

Repair warranties

Approved-network repairs typically carry a lifetime warranty on paint and workmanship, transferable if you sell the car. An independent bodyshop should offer at least 5 years. Get the warranty in writing.

What to check when you collect

• Paint match under different lighting (daylight and shade)
• Panel gaps left, right, top, bottom of the repaired area
• Doors and boot open, close and shut evenly
• All electrical items (windows, lights, sensors, radio, ADAS warning lights)
• Underneath — no exposed metal or missing shields
• Wheel alignment (essential if impact affected suspension)

Poor-quality repairs

If something isn't right, raise it immediately with the repairer and copy the insurer or accident management company. You have a legal right to a repair that returns the vehicle to its pre-accident condition. If the repairer refuses to correct it, insist on an independent engineer's inspection.

Diminished value

Even a perfect repair can leave your car worth less at resale — see our diminished value guide. In non-fault cases this can be claimed from the at-fault insurer.

How VIP Claims manages repairs

We use nationwide manufacturer-approved bodyshops, insist on OEM parts where required, and manage the repair on your behalf. The at-fault insurer settles direct with the bodyshop, and we handle any quality dispute for you.

Talking to VIP Claims is free and puts you under no obligation. We are an independent, UK-based accident management company — not an insurer. If your accident wasn't your fault, we can arrange a like-for-like replacement vehicle, manage repairs at an approved bodyshop, and recover all costs from the at-fault driver's insurer, protecting your no-claims bonus and keeping your excess in your pocket. Speak to a specialist or start your claim online.