The Government has been asked by the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) to declare the number of complaints consumers made about insurance company-owned bodyshops last year.

In a parliamentary question to Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, the RMI asked:

  • What guarantees of quality and integrity do insurer-owned bodyshops give?
  • How can the public be guaranteed indemnity when their insurer is repairing their car, when there appears to be a conflict of interest between those who settle the repair bill and those who actually repair the car?
  • Are customers made aware if non-genuine or second-hand parts are being used?
  • What options do consumers have in the event of a dispute with an insurance company-owned bodyshop?

    The RMI has set these questions against the backdrop of regulation and security that RMI membership provides.

    All RMI members are regulated by a strict Code of Conduct drawn up in conjunction with the Office of Fair Trading and they conform to the National Arbitration and Conciliation service.

    The RMI is calling for evidence to show insurance company bodyshops can offer their customers the same security.

    The Secretary of State's response will constitute evidence for the RMI-led Body Repair Industry Campaign (BRIC) that aims to expose insurer anti-competitive practices.