The Northern Ireland Bodyshop Alliance (NIBA) has warned that repairers in the north are being forced to cut corners because of insurance company pressures to save money. NIBA, which represents more than 200 workers from 50 independent garages, claimed lives were being put at risk by the questionable practises of some insurance companies.

Sean Bradley, NIBA chairman said: "Unless Stormont intervenes in the local repair market and looks at the questionable practices of certain insurance companies, we could see a major fatality on our roads caused by poor repairs."

NIBA members claim, that in some cases they had been instructed to fix damaged vehicles with cheap, replica parts instead of those made by the car manufacturer. Concerns were also raised that customers were being offered below-market values by insurers when the vehicle had been written off after a crash. The alliance members also say that customers were not being told they could choose their own bodyshop and did not have to use the insurer's chosen repairer.

Sean commented, "Members tell me that, increasingly, they are being put under pressure to accept less favourable terms to repair vehicles and they worry about the effect this could have on safety and quality." He added, "All we want is a fair and transparent commercial environment, a balanced relationship with insurers and the right to do what is best for our customers. For us, that means repairing a vehicle to stated manufacturer standards for a reasonable price.”

Sean believes many independent repairers were scared to speak out on this issue for fear of losing business.