Agency repair is a comprehensive policy with one important promise: if your car needs fixing after a claim, it goes back to the brand’s own dealer. Here is when that is worth paying for.
01What “agency repair” means
With agency repair, claim repairs are carried out at the authorised dealer (the “agency”) for your car’s brand, by technicians trained on that brand and with genuine manufacturer parts. Everything else works like a normal comprehensive policy: third-party liability, accident damage, fire and theft.
02Which cars it suits
- New and nearly new cars: dealer repairs help keep the car as the factory built it.
- Cars under manufacturer warranty: repairs at the dealer avoid questions about the warranty later.
- Financed cars: some lenders ask for agency repair.
- Premium and luxury models: where specialist tools and parts matter most.
Insurers usually offer agency repair only for the first few years of a car’s life. After that, most policies switch to garage repair.
03Why it costs more
Dealer labour rates and genuine parts cost more than an approved garage, so agency repair premiums are higher than garage repair for the same car. Whether the difference is worth it depends on the car’s age and value and how long you plan to keep it.