Complaint against garage recommended by insurance

Apiarist

I need an advice regarding the procedure to follow in this situation:

• my car (Honda Insight from Japan) had been in an accident in July 2022 and the front bumper got damaged with one fog light completely broken.
• the car is insured with RSA (comprehensive policy). RSA have recommended a garage which should be used to diagnose and repair the damage. I went to the garage, they did the assessment and the insurance company told the garage to proceed.
• Now it is January 2023 and the garage still have not started to repair my car. Apparently they are waiting on parts from suppliers.

I am planning to call RSA again and have them ask the garage to move faster. But what are my rights in this situation? Should I just wait until the garage finds it convenient to fix my car? Can I force RSA to release the claim money to me so I can find another garage? Any other advice?

Thanks!

Eggs For Dinner

You are free to have the car repaired by a reputable garage of your choosing. Note that the alternative repair bill will have to be approved by insurers and the excess is often higher. I'd check first that your garage can actually source the parts earlier than the approved repairer

seagull

Are they at least providing you with a loan car while not fixing your car?

Apiarist

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120099504#Comment_120099504

No, no replacement car. On the other hand, my car can be on the road, it's really just the fog light that is broken and the bumper looks scratched.

The update: after following with the insurance yesterday, the garage is fixing the car next week and I am getting a replacement car while they are fixing it. So it should be fine after all, though I am a bit upset that it took them so long.

L1011

For Japanese import cars, the delay is often in getting the Japanese market parts and moving garage can't help that.

mrsbeebee

Massive delays in the industry sourcing parts, and all garages in the same boat. It's a pain for everyone but especially people stuck with their damaged cars (especially if they're not driveable). Hope you get sorted soon but reality is another garage would probably have the same delays.