The New Zealand collision repair industry is seeing large delays in the repairing of insurance customers’ cars due to a skills shortage, not insurer red tape, according to the Insurance Council of NZ (ICNZ).
Collision Repair Association (CRA) GM Neil Pritchard has claimed that bureaucracy is the cause for poor repair times.
The ICNZ responded, stating the comments made by Pritchard were unfounded allegations and were inconsistent with the CRA's own research that revealed improvements to the claims process.
CRA chief executive Tim Grafton said the issue was certainly related to a skills shortage, drawing on a previous conversation between the CRA and the ICNZ.
"Neil Pritchard from the CRA's claim that bureaucracy is slowing down car repairs is an empty beat up to disguise the failure to address his industry’s skill shortages.
“He has a short memory because earlier this year his organisation approached the Insurance Council to partner in joint communications regarding their skills shortage causing delays in car repairs. Pritchard is creating tension between the smash repair industry and insurers that is unnecessary.
"There will always be cost negotiations between panelbeaters wanting more profit and insurers wanting to keep costs down so that insurance remains affordable for everyone.
"All insurers are asking for is the evidence of the damage to support the recovery of the costs which is no more than any other business requires when paying for services.”