The AADA welcomes this opportunity to provide a response to the consultation on the drafting of a revised Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry (MVIRI) Code of Conduct. The AADA’s interest in the MVIRI Code (the Code) and our comments are based on the role of new car and new truck dealers as suppliers of vehicles, franchisees or agents of vehicle importers, sellers of replacement parts, providers of remedies under express and implied warranties and in some cases, as owners and operators of body repair shops.
The AADA supports the further development of the Code that will provide certainty for industry participants and vehicle owners as to how motor vehicle insurance claims are fairly assessed and processed, so that repairs are undertaken in a timely manner while ensuring future conformance to vehicle design standards and safety.
The AADA’s commentary is focused on the elements of vehicle insurance repairs that dealers are engaged with and see every day. In particular, we have addressed the supply of OEM parts by dealers to body repairers and transparent communications with vehicle owners. In our opinion, the Code should enhance and streamline the insurance repair experience and assist all industry participants to produce good outcomes for vehicle owners. Disputes that occur between insurers and body repairers are a handbrake on productivity, best avoided by having in place the right code of conduct which smooths out transactions for all concerned.
The AADA supports the Motor Trades Association of Australia’s view on the following matters, reiterating dealer concerns arising from the insurance repair relationship.