360 Body Shop
Most UK motor insurance policies allow you to choose your own repairer, and many customers choose to bring their car to us rather than a repairer nominated by their insurer. We work with major, independent and specialist insurers and can communicate directly with them throughout the repair so you don't have to be the go-between.
When a car is damaged and a claim is being made, the repair itself sits alongside a separate process of estimates, engineer inspections and authorisation that runs through the insurer. Many customers find this the more confusing part, not the repair. So we try to keep our part of it as clear as possible: what we've found, what we've quoted for, and where things currently stand with the insurer.
In most cases, you are entitled under your policy to choose which repairer carries out the work, rather than being limited to a repairer selected by the insurer. We work with major, independent and specialist insurers and can communicate directly with insurers throughout the repair. This includes providing the estimate, answering engineer queries, and confirming once repair authorisation has been given before work proceeds.
The estimate we produce is based on a physical inspection of the vehicle, itemising the panels, parts and labour the repair requires. Depending on the insurer and the claim, this may be reviewed by an engineer either remotely or in person before authorisation is given to proceed. Where the engineer's assessment differs from our estimate, we discuss this directly with the insurer rather than leaving you to relay technical detail back and forth.
Parts decisions on an insurance repair are usually governed by the policy terms rather than by us — some policies specify particular part types for certain repairs. This is something we clarify with the insurer at the estimate stage so there are no surprises once work is under way. Similarly, excess amounts and what is and isn't covered under your specific policy are matters between you and your insurer. We can help by explaining what a repair involves, but we do not set or interpret the terms of your policy.
How it works
Initial inspection and estimate
We assess the damage in person and produce an itemised estimate covering panels, parts and labour for the insurer.
Insurer and engineer liaison
The estimate is submitted to the insurer, and we answer any queries raised by an engineer reviewing the claim.
Repair authorisation
Once the insurer confirms authorisation, we schedule the vehicle in and order any parts required.
Repair and refinishing
The agreed repair work is carried out, including panel repair or replacement, paintwork and any mechanical or structural correction.
Recalibration where required
Where the repair has affected a camera, radar or connected safety system, recalibration is carried out before the car is signed off.
Quality check and handover
The finished repair is checked against the estimate and the vehicle is handed back with details of the warranty and any progress documentation.
Capability
An insurance repair runs on two parallel tracks: the physical repair, which is what happens in our workshop, and the claims administration, which sits with your insurer. The estimate we provide feeds into the second track — it's used by the insurer, and sometimes by an independent engineer, to review the claim before authorising the repair to proceed. This is different from a repairer simply agreeing a price with a private customer, because the insurer's engineer may query specific line items, parts choices or labour times before authorisation is confirmed.
It's worth understanding the difference between an insurer authorising a repair and a repairer being described as approved by a manufacturer or insurer. Authorisation means the insurer has agreed to fund the repair as estimated, or as adjusted following engineer review. It is not the same as a manufacturer or insurer endorsing a specific repairer as their approved partner. We don't use that language because it isn't accurate to describe how we work with insurers on individual claims.
Parts decisions on insurance repairs are frequently governed by the policy itself rather than left to the repairer's discretion. Some policies specify particular categories of replacement part depending on the vehicle's age or the nature of the claim. We clarify this with the insurer as part of preparing the estimate, so the parts ordered match what the policy actually allows.
What determines the eventual cost of the claim to you is largely down to your policy's excess and terms, which we cannot alter or interpret on your behalf. What we can control is the accuracy of our estimate and the quality of the repair itself, both of which affect how smoothly the claim proceeds and how the vehicle performs afterwards.
We can explain what a repair involves, how the process works, and what our estimate covers. We are not able to advise on policy interpretation, excess amounts, or claim outcomes, as these are matters for your insurer. Any statement we make about the repair itself is based on physical inspection, not assumption.
Why 360
Reading facility
Body repair, paint, structural repair and nationwide accident management support.
8 Arkwright Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 0LUMonday – Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: By appointment only
Sunday: By appointment only
Questions
Related work
All 360 Body Shop servicesArkwright Road, ReadingAreas we coverContact 360
360 Body Shop
Cosmetic, structural and insurance-quality vehicle repairs.
