NRMA - Repairers

Submitted: Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 11:23
ThreadID: 31611 Views:3485 Replies:4 FollowUps:1
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Following news out in the SMH.

The NRMA says customers who wish to select a specific repairer can now do so free of charge, following widespread criticism of its controversial web-based repairs system.

Under the current system, introduced in July last year, customers are forced to bring their cars to a centre for assessment to allow preferred repairers to bid for work by examining online photos of the damage.

Customers wanting to choose their own repairer must pay a higher premium than those who take out a standard insurance policy.

But the smash repair industry has been lobbying the NSW government to move against NRMA and its parent company Insurance Australia Group.

NRMA Insurance CEO David Issa said the company would allow customers to select their own repairers free of charge.

"We are a customer-focused company and if this change addresses customer concerns around Choice of Repairer it is a worthwhile endeavour," Mr Issa said in a statement.

He said the company expected the change to come into effect from May 1.

But the NRMA otherwise remained committed to its Care and Repair Service system, Mr Issa said.

"We will continue to recommend our preferred repairer network as it's made up of quality repairers who continue to meet our high expectations regarding workmanship and customer service," he said.

The NSW government yesterday declined to say whether it would support a bill by Independent MP Richard Torbay that would impose jail sentences and penalties of up to $165,000 on all NSW insurers who use preferred repairers or parts.
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Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 14:48

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 14:48
Hi there Landie, I wonder if I'l get any of my $72 I paid extra just before xmas, only reason I stuck with them was they were the cheapest around $620 including the extra $72 for my commodore everyone else was around $800 + but they did drop the premiums to try and keep there customers I was one of them. The hilux is insured with them as well but didnt pay the extra as Im not to worried if it needs to get repaired who does it. Also found out (after I paid of course) that even if you pay the extra $$$ for your own choice of repairer some smash repairers still wont do any work for the NRMA any way, and also that if the quote given by your own preferred smah repairer is dearer then there own preferred repairer you are required to take it to them not your own so I'm screwed either way unless my repairer will match the price which depends on wether you want second hand crap on your car or new parts/panels if required, There all the same money hungry bastards but we need to be covered so not much we can do about it. Regards Steve M
AnswerID: 159716

Reply By: cokeaddict - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 16:13

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 16:13
Personally i wont go back, In fact..i would like to thank NRMA for opening my eyes to the rip off they have been sucking me into for the past 8 years. I am now with allianz...same insurance as with NRMA..same extras but 440.00 a year less to pay.

So thank u so much NRMA....you may have enjoyed ripping me off for all those years..but i am to blame for that for trusting them when it came to pricing. Now I will stick with allianz and check the others every year when it comes to renewal time.

When u think of it..u have to laff though....here we have the nrma..wanting to take the RTA to court over the raod closures in the city because they believe it was wrong. Then on the other hand...NRMA..wanted to take away from us the right to choose who we wanted to fix our cars.....go figure !!!!
AnswerID: 159737

Reply By: Peter 2 - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 18:47

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 18:47
Yes just renewed my green slip, complained about the cost, promptly got a substantial reduction when i threatened to leave!!! along with all the other policies!
AnswerID: 159762

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 21:13

Saturday, Mar 11, 2006 at 21:13
Yep they sent me a quote for the hilux for $770 nearly died in the arse rang them and told them I will cancel everything oops sorry Mr miller will see what we can do, paid $320 in the end funny that. Regards steve M
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FollowupID: 414605

Reply By: Max - Sydney - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 20:24

Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 20:24
You know, I haven't had many claims and I'm almost geriatric, so my premium with NRMA is pretty reasonable. However I have sometimes wondered why I don't try someone else.

Last December, while in WA, my wife ended up in Charlies' hospital in Perth, crook as a dog and 4000 km away from home. I rang the NRMA help line to see if there was any help available.

Well, I was amazed. Lots of options, but from the day I rang, their nurse kept track of how she was going. Every time a scan came up, she said she would ring to see how it went, and she did. We kept discussing our options, and once the doctor in Perth said "Get home before something else happens", NRMA had plane tickets for our daughter to come over and escort my wife home.

My brother joined me to help drive the 4WD & van home, and NRMA picked up the caravan park costs too.

It was not only the money - the reassurance of someone tracking my wife's progress and keeping touch was well worth what ever the NRMA costs.

And, I dunno what the fuss is about repairers - I never want to track around sleazy crash repair shops getting a quote and trying to pick a good one again. The one repair I have had in recent years was quickly and well done by the bloke they sent me to.

For what its worth, I'm pretty chuffed with NRMA INsurance right now.

Max
AnswerID: 159791

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