The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is predicting a David and Goliath-style battle in the House of Commons, as MPs tackle the insurance industry's treatment of car repairers.
The RMI met with Members of Parliament on Tuesday (November 21) to discuss what RMI bodyshop services divisional director Bob Hood described as anti-competitive activity by insurers.
Hood said the RMI was preparing a case against insurers who were practising "body repair market suppression". The RMI is collecting written evidence from repairers.
"MPs have told us that if insurers try to prevent a fair hearing by threatening to withdraw approvals, deliberately steering work away from bodyshops, late payment of accounts and delaying authorisations and inspections, they'll be investigated and, where necessary, reported to the appropriate DTI departments," Hood said.
He said the RMI continued to be supportive of approved repairer schemes but "they must be underpinned by meaningful contracts which include strict service level agreements to which both parties agree".
