Know your rights

Can I choose my own panel beater?

It's the first question most South Africans ask after an accident — and the answer is better than many insurers' paperwork makes it sound.

The short answer

In most cases, yes. South Africa's Competition Commission guidelines for the automotive aftermarket — in effect since 1 July 2021 — support your right to choose who repairs your car, including panel beating work. On an insurance claim your policy wording still sets the conditions, so tell your insurer early that you have a preferred shop. Paying cash? The choice is entirely yours.

What the Competition Commission guidelines say

The Guidelines for Competition in the South African Automotive Aftermarket were published by the Competition Commission to open up vehicle service and repair work to fair competition. In plain language, they mean:

Independent workshops — including panel beaters — should be able to compete fairly for repair work, with transparent approval processes instead of closed lists.
Having work done by an independent provider shouldn't automatically void your entire vehicle warranty.
Insurers are guided toward transparency about how repairers are appointed to their panels, and toward giving policyholders real choice.
The goal is a competitive aftermarket: more choice for you, fair access for smaller shops.

One honest caveat: guidelines are not your insurance contract. Your policy wording still governs your claim — some policies apply conditions like an additional excess for repairs outside their panel. The guidelines simply mean you can push back, ask questions, and expect straight answers. Asking costs nothing.

On an insurance claim: how to use your right

Step 1

Choose your shop first

Find a shop near you and check its profile: factory approvals that match your car, trading hours, and the people you'll deal with. Knowing who you want makes the next conversation easy.

Step 2

Tell your insurer early

When you report the claim, say you have a preferred repairer — and put it in an email so there's a record. It's much harder to redirect a claim after a tow truck has already taken the car somewhere.

Step 3

Ask what conditions apply

An additional excess? Payout capped at an assessed amount? Approval requirements while the car is under warranty? Get the answers in writing before you authorise anything.

Step 4

Let the shop and assessor talk

Send your chosen shop a quote request with photos of the damage. Good shops deal with assessors every week — they know the process and can pick it up from there.

Paying cash? The choice is entirely yours

Most cars on South African roads aren't comprehensively insured, so cash repairs are the norm, not the exception. With no insurer involved there's no approved list to think about — the only thing that matters is picking a shop you trust. Compare a couple of itemised quotes, ask about guarantees on the workmanship, and check the shop's approvals if your car is still under warranty. Requesting a quote through a shop's profile sends your photos straight to the workshop, so the estimate comes back grounded in the actual damage.

Before you authorise repairs: a quick checklist

A real, operating workshop you can visit — every listing on this site is one.
Factory approvals that match your car, if it's under warranty or your insurer requires them.
A written, itemised quote — parts, labour and paint set out, not one lump sum.
A workmanship guarantee, in writing.
Clarity on parts: new original, alternative, or used — and who decides.
A paper trail: keep the quote, approvals and authorisations together.

Common questions

Your policy sets the terms you agreed to, but the Competition Commission's guidelines push insurers toward transparency and real consumer choice. In practice, most insurers will consider your preferred shop if you ask — especially one holding the right manufacturer approvals. If they refuse, ask them to point to the specific clause and to put their reasons in writing.

Not automatically — the 2021 guidelines were written to stop exactly that blanket threat. For a car still under a manufacturer warranty, the low-risk route is a shop that holds your vehicle make's approval, so structural and paint work follows the manufacturer's repair methods.

Some policies apply an additional excess, or cap the payout at their assessed amount, when you repair outside their panel. Ask before you authorise anything — sometimes the difference is small compared to using a shop you trust, and sometimes your chosen shop is already on the panel.

Then the choice is entirely yours — no panel, no approved list. Most cars on South African roads aren't comprehensively insured, so shops quote cash work every day. Compare a couple of itemised quotes and ask about workmanship guarantees before you commit.

Ready to choose your shop?

Every listing is a real, operating workshop with its approvals, hours and contact details on one page — call, WhatsApp, or send a quote request with photos.

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