New repair model bad for consumers: Panel Beaters Assn
Nine To Noon
English - April 12, 2021 21:08 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MB - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsNews Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
The country's largest insurer is rolling out its own collision repair facilities around the country, but industry leaders warn it will bring reduced consumer choice and poor quality control. IAG, which includes NZI, State, AMI and Lumley, is opening its own panel beating outlets in Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton, to the one already established in Auckland. This means IAG will be assessing, paying for and completing the vehicle repair. The Collision Repair Association, which represents panelbeaters and auto refinish painters, says the move will leave thousands of consumers without choice and without a third party to have quality-control oversight. IAG rejects this, saying the new outlets will maintain quality, and overseas, this end to end model gets customers back on the road quicker. Kathryn speaks with Neil Pritchard is general manager of the Collision Repair Association and Dean MacGregor, Executive General Manager Claims, IAG.