It can often be a headache to liaise not only with car insurers, but car repairers after an accident, but a new mandatory Code of Conduct could be making it a whole lot easier for Hunter motorists.
The NSW Government is making the move to lift industry standards by championing the mandatory code, which will better protect the rights of licensed drivers.
The main amendments to the code include:
- Mandated compliance in NSW
- Minimum training and experience requirements for estimators and assessors
- The NSW Government will appoint neutral parties to conduct mediation and determinations of disputes
- Mandatory reporting of any unsafe repairs.
"This just restores a bit of power and a little bit of security back to vehicle owners that they know if there is a dispute, there will be someone who will be bale to mediate - someone who isn't beholden to the smash repairer or the insurance industry," said Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.
The Parliamentary Secretary said the disputes between dodgy repairers and insurers "has caused a lot of anxiety among consumers" and this new code will improve the safety and transparency of insurance assessments and furthermore, repair work.
The code will also work to avoid potentially costly legal actions against large insurers.
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Matt Kean, says "this is another example of this Government reducing red tape and will help consumers avoid getting caught in the middle of disputes between insurers and vehicle repairers".
The new code will come into effect from 1st May, and for more information go to: www.industry.nsw.gov.au
