The accident repair industry has seen a huge increase in insurance company influence over recent years and similar, if not greater problems have also been happening in parallel in the field of windscreen replacement. The VRA and IAGRA, representative bodies from the two industries, have now come together to work on highlighting the issues and protecting consumer rights.
IAGRA - The Irish Automotive Glass Repairers Association was formed in 2009 and is a trade organisation representing independent windscreen companies operating throughout the country. Windscreen companies are under severe threat as a result of steering by insurance companies and are finding it harder to gain access to work and also to get paid for work carried out. The organisation says that over recent years, insurance companies have become more and more aggressive in directing policyholders to use a preferred supplier, when getting glass in their vehicle repaired or replaced. IAGRA members say that in some instances, this involves misleading statements to the customer and dubious tactics in relation to payments.
IAGRA has been actively lobbying various government departments to help address this situation and also state bodies, including the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency. The association has asked for the introduction of anti-steering legislation in Ireland, such as that adopted in many States in the US. They have also requested that the National Consumer Agency raise consumer awareness, as all too often consumers do not know that they have a choice in who repairs their vehicle.
IAGRA also point out that the Office of Fair Trading in the UK is currently investigating outsourced services in relation to motor insurance claims. Such services were supposed to reduce premiums, however, it appears to have had the opposite effect with premiums increasing in the UK by 40%.
If your business is involved in windscreen replacement and is being impacted by insurance companies, IAGRA ask you to make contact to discuss the issue. Email info@iagra.ie or contact Linda Donohoe on 087-630-9066.