Saving with workshop commitment: Is it worth taking out insurance with a workshop commitment?

If you are interested in a new car, here are a few offers:

 

What does workshop commitment mean?

If you have taken out car insurance with a workshop commitment, then you are obliged to have your car repaired only at a partner workshop of your insurance company in the event of damage. So you can't choose the workshop completely freely.

How does workshop binding work?

The commitment to a partner workshop is only given in the case of a possible comprehensive service. So if it is a matter of hail damage, marten damage or wildlife accidents, for example, partial comprehensive insurance would apply. In the event of vandalism, self-inflicted accidents or hit-and-runs, fully comprehensive insurance would be responsible. If one of these damages has occurred, you must ask your insurance company which partner workshop you are allowed to visit.

If it's a liability case, your insurance company doesn't have to pay, so it doesn't care which workshop you go to.

 

Advantages and disadvantages of a workshop commitment

There are various reasons for and against a contract with a workshop commitment. First of all, the advantages:

Save money with workshop ties

The biggest advantage of a workshop commitment can be seen as the price savings. Depending on the insurance company, it is possible that you can get up to 20% discount on your insurance premium if you take out a workshop commitment. Such insurance policies are attractive for novice drivers.

Useful for used cars

Since the legal warranty does not suffer and you can get both a price saving and additional services, the workshop commitment makes perfect sense for a used car.

Benefits

Together with the workshop commitment, you usually take out attractive additional services. This can include transport from the scene of the accident to the workshop or the provision of a replacement car.

But you should also pay attention to the disadvantages:

Unsuitable for new cars and leasing

In the case of goodwill services, manufacturers can insist that all previous repairs have been carried out on them. In the case of leasing, the lessor may already have made corresponding regulations, which can lead to complications.

No free choice of workshop

In the event ofa claim, you must ask your insurance company in which workshop the repair may be carried out. If you live in the countryside, you may have a relatively long drive. In addition, it could be that you do not like the selected workshop - but you still have to accept it.

 

Workshop commitment yes or no: For whom is it worthwhile?

A workshop commitment is especially difficult if you have a new car or a leased vehicle. Although the legal warranty is not tied to a workshop, the manufacturer's warranty is also retained - but you will only receive goodwill benefits after this time if repairs have been carried out beforehand in an authorized workshop.

It is also not advisable to take out a workshop commitment for leased vehicles, because the lessor can also specify workshops. This would collide with the requirements of the insurance company and the lessor or financier.

How much can you save with workshop binding?

How much discount you get on the insurance premium depends on the respective insurer. But up to 20% discount is possible, common is about 11%. But why do you get a discount at all?

The insurance company has concluded contracts with the partner workshops it has chosen for repair costs that are below the usual market prices. This benefits both sides: the insurance company pays less and the workshop continuously receives orders from the insurance company. The insurance company can pass on the price savings to customers in the form of a lower premium.

Is there a garage connection with leasing?

It may be that the lessor stipulates a workshop commitment in the leasing contract. Then you should rather not enter into any further commitment with the car insurance, because in the end you always have a problem: you would have to fear consequences from both the insurance company and the lessor.

 

When does the workshop commitment take effect?

You only have to adhere to the workshop binding if it is a hull damage. In the event of a liability claim, you are still free to choose the workshop. You can also choose the workshop yourself for inspections

Does the workshop connection also apply abroad?

No, there is an exception here. If your car has damage abroad that needs to be repaired immediately, you can visit any workshop there.

Despite being tied to another workshop?

If you do not comply with the agreement, you will have to pay at least part of the repair costs yourself. The insurance company will only cover the costs it would have paid in the partner workshop – and as we now know, these are significantly lower. In addition, you may receive a contractual penalty. This could be an increase in the deductible or, in the worst case, a refund of the entire discount.

Is a workshop commitment unlawful?

A clause on the binding of the workshop is not generally unlawful. However, there have been judgments in the past that declared such a clause invalid due to the long distance to the nearest partner workshop stated in the terms and conditions. The time and costs for the customer must remain proportionate.

Car insurance with workshop commitment

The discount when taking out a workshop commitment can be very tempting. Nevertheless, before taking out car insurance, you should pay close attention to when the workshop commitment applies and which workshops the insurance company works with. If this is not immediately visible to you, you should ask your insurer in advance about the partner workshops. You can then first get an idea of which workshops these are.

In addition to the premium discounts, insurance companies offer a lot more if you decide to be tied to the workshop.

Is there a workshop connection at HUK?

Yes, at HUK there is the possibility to conclude a workshop commitment. The following advantages are mentioned:

• Repair with original spare parts
• 6-year warranty on repairs
• Manufacturer's warranty is retained
• Interior and exterior cleaning

Is there a workshop commitment at DEVK?

Yes, you can conclude a contract with DEVK with a workshop connection Kasko-Mobil. You then have the following advantages:

• Pick-up and delivery service
• Exterior and interior cleaning
• Replacement vehicle for the duration of the repair
• 10-year warranty on repairs

Is Allianz tied to a workshop?

If you add the additional module WerkstattBonus to your insurance, then you can also take out a workshop commitment with Allianz. These are your advantages:

• Pick-up and delivery service
• Vehicle cleaning
• Free replacement car

Is there a workshop commitment at the VhV?

If you choose Claims Service Plus, the workshop commitment is included. Again, there are additional benefits:

• Free replacement vehicle
• Fast towing
• Pick-up and delivery service
• 6-year warranty on the repair
• Interior and exterior cleaning