The Motor Vehicle Repairer Association (MVRA) is developing a new contract that it will use as its 'benchmark' for all negotiations with its insurance approved repairer networks.

The MVRA's objective is to create “a balanced, equitable and meaningful contract” setting out the expectations and obligations of the repairer/insurer relationship.

A final draft of the contract should be ready by the end of November.

Mike Monaghan, MVRA managing director, said: “Existing contracts are often too rigid with a tendency to treat all repairers in the same way. Our contract aims to reduce this rigidity and we are confident that encouraging flexibility and rewarding the repairers that consistently offer a good and effective service will ultimately benefit the whole industry.”