New South Wales Drivers Want To Choose Who Fixes Their Car
People from New South Wales overwhelmingly support (90%) insurance companies giving car owners the option to choose their own repairer.
A GIO survey was conducted from 29 to 31 July and 5 to 7 August in New South Wales and Queensland among 1,400 respondents aged 18 years and over. 90% of all New South Wales respondents want to have a choice of car repairer. 91% of metropolitan survey respondents and 90% of regional respondents support giving car owners a choice.
GIO, voted best insurer1 to deal with by motor repairers for the past four years, is the prime provider of repairer choice for consumers in the New South Wales market. GIO Motor Insurance General Manager Daniel Fogarty said repairer choice is clearly a big issue across New South Wales, particularly in rural and regional areas, as taking a car to a local repairer is obviously more convenient for customers and ensures jobs are supported locally.
"GIO has a good working relationship with the motor repair industry, the company has always used local motor repairers and will continue to do so," said Mr Fogarty. "Customers are guaranteed quality motor repair work when making a claim through GIO, regardless of whether they opt for a GIO-recommended repairer or not," he said.
GIO is offering new customers a $30 discount2 to switch to GIO motor insurance and will maintain the customer's no claim bonus at the level they would be entitled to with their current insurer.
"We do guarantee the repairs of our recommended repairers as well as nonrecommended repairers, as we know the importance and value of choice for our customers," said Mr Fogarty.
"We are unique in the market and it's one of the benefits that consumers need to consider when choosing a car insurance policy.
1 Motor Equipment News, February 2004
2 Discount offered until 14 August 2005
"We've invested a lot of time and energy in building strong relationships with the motor repair industry and we have recommended repairers who we stand by," he said.
10 August 2005
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Contact: Michelle Barry, GIO Public Affairs, 0419 717 835
