How It Works

Simple. If you ask for us.

If you've had an accident and need to claim through your own insurance, you can absolutely have your repair done at Stanways. The Financial Conduct Authority is clear: you have the right to choose your own repairer. Your insurer can recommend, but they cannot force you.

Once you tell your insurer you want Stanways Autobodies to do the work, we take it from there — estimate, parts, repair, quality check, handover. They get the documentation they need; you get a repair done to the standard your car deserves.

What To Say On The Phone

Two short sentences.

When your insurer asks where you want the repair carried out, this is the script:

"I'd like Stanways Autobodies in Lytham St Annes to repair my vehicle. Their Audatex Network Code is on file."

That's it. They may push their own approved network — politely decline. They may say it'll "take longer" or "cost more excess" — that's not true unless your policy specifies an approved-network discount.

Why Insurers Push Their Networks

It's about their cost, not yours.

Insurer-approved networks operate on rock-bottom labour rates negotiated centrally. The repairer takes the work because the volume is high, but the time and care that goes into each car is squeezed.

An independent shop like ours isn't fighting that pressure on every job. We use OEM parts where required, take the time to do the repair properly, and quality-check before handover. The insurer pays the same kind of standard rate they pay anywhere else — you just get the quality their network often can't match.

Insurers We Work With

All of them.

Direct or indirect, we handle claims with every major UK motor insurer including:

Mainstream

Aviva, Direct Line, Admiral, AXA, Churchill, LV=, RSA, NFU Mutual, Saga, Hastings, esure, Tesco Bank, Privilege.

Specialist & Prestige

A-Plan, Adrian Flux, Lockton, Bryans, Footman James (classic), Lancaster (prestige).

Fleet & Commercial

Allianz, Zurich, AIG, QBE, Markerstudy, Kindertons, Auxillis. We're set up for fleet work and have the booth capacity for commercial volumes.

Don't see yours?

It doesn't matter. We invoice to whichever insurer your claim is with — just give us their details and we handle the paperwork.

The Process

From estimate to handover.

Tell your insurer you'd like Stanways Autobodies to repair your vehicle.
Drop in or arrange collection — free within 40 miles.
We assess and estimate, send the report direct to your insurer or their engineer.
Authorisation — usually back the same or next working day.
Parts ordered, OEM where required, with realistic timing communicated to you upfront.
Repair carried out to BS10125 and manufacturer specification.
Quality check, ADAS calibration, alignment, valet.
You collect — or we deliver back to you.

Excess

If you're claiming through your own policy (rather than the third party's), the excess agreed when you took out your insurance is payable to us on collection of the vehicle. The insurer pays the rest of the repair cost direct to us.

VAT

If you're VAT-registered and your vehicle is registered to your business, the VAT element of the repair will be invoiced to you to reclaim through HMRC. We'll explain at the time.

For Brokers, Insurers & Fleet Managers

Network terms available.

If you're an insurance broker, claim handler, fleet manager or a work provider looking for capacity in the North West, we operate on standard network terms and have available capacity for both retail and fleet work.

For business enquiries please email info@stanwaysautobodies.com with the subject line "Network Enquiry" and we'll get back to you within one working day.

Insurance Approved
Repairs Lytham