Accident Repair FAQS

Not at all. It is your legal choice who repairs your vehicle, not your insurer’s. Insurance companies may try to lead you to a repairer they work with in a bid to cut down their costs, potentially compromising the quality of repairs you receive. They might take your car to a body shop that uses second-hand or non-original parts that could affect your warranty and potentially your safety.

Choosing approved guarantees you the highest standards of repair work and safety. Approved means we are regularly audited and closely monitored by the brand that first made your vehicle. We are bound by their exacting standards and specifications to restore your car to its optimum pre-collision condition. Approved ensures that only Genuine Parts and products are used, adherence to specialist paint matching and structural repair methodologies, and ensuring that any unseen damage to any safety features is also corrected.

If you were not at fault, you do not have to claim the cost of repairing the damage on your own policy. Castle can repair your vehicle directly through the other party’s insurance. You will not have to pay any excess and will be reimbursed for any costs that you may have paid out on account of the accident.

If you have to pay a compulsory or voluntary excess in your policy, you will be required to pay this directly to us as your chosen repairer. The amount of excess you pay may differ if another driver other than the policyholder was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Of course. It may even be more cost-effective for us to carry out the extra work at the same time as your other repairs. If you would like us to carry out any additional work, please speak to one of our dedicated advisors who can generate a separate estimate.

Yes. Whether it is a minor scratch on the bodywork, a scuffed alloy wheel, a chip on the edge of the car door or a graze on the bumper, it is always advisable to repair any damage at an approved and quality repairer before you hand back the keys. Returning a damaged vehicle at the end of your lease period could end up costing you more as the lease company will take it to a body shop of their choice, with costs outside of your control; you will also likely incur their administration charges for the privilege of this as well. At Castle not only will we ensure your vehicle will be accepted within the general wear and tear range, but we also guarantee our workmanship for life*. We will be happy to support any potential issues that arise.

Castle Coachworks is based in Northampton and provides accident repair, vehicle body repair and refinishing services to customers across Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.

You can contact Castle Coachworks by phone, email, or through the contact form on our website.

No. All insurers are obliged to ‘treat customers fairly’.
The right to choose your own repairer is covered under the consumer rights directive 1993, The Association of British Insurer’s (A.B.I.) and governed by the FSA.

At Castle we have a motto: “We do not just repair cars. We ensure that safety levels from original manufacture are maintained”. Working from the premise that even a small bump can affect the performance of your vehicle such as the wheel alignment or the internal electronics and safety mechanisms such as airbags, to keep you safe in the event of a future incident it is vital for your safety that your car is restored to the condition its manufacturer first intended.

This is not the case. Castle Coachworks will always help to keep you mobile and may be able to arrange for a like for like loan vehicle for the duration of your repairs*

When dealing with a claim, we are only able to repair the damage that has been approved by the insurance company that is paying for your vehicle’s repairs. It is therefore important to contact your insurance company immediately if you are unhappy with the decisions made by their engineers.

If you are claiming the repair cost from an insurance company, upon completion we will require you to sign a collection note. This is to prove to the insurance company that the repairs have been carried out and that the completed vehicle has been collected by you.

When informing your insurance company about having your vehicle repaired at our manufacturer-approved bodyshop, they may threaten a higher excess. By letting us know first, we can help absorb these costs.

Total Loss Avoidance (TLA) is a scheme that is offered by vehicle manufacturers to their approved bodyshops to help prevent vehicles from being written off as a total loss due to costly repairs. Find out more here

No. Castle Coachworks is an independent accident repair centre based in Northampton. If you are looking for Castle Coachworks, please use the contact details provided on this website only.