You Have the Right to Choose Your Own Panel Beater

South African law protects your right to pick where your vehicle is repaired — even after an insurance claim. HJ Bosch & Sons has been the independent choice for SA drivers since 1969.

Your Rights as a South African Driver

• You choose the repairer. Your insurer cannot force you to use their preferred panel beater. South African insurance law and the Consumer Protection Act protect your freedom of choice.
• You can insist on SAMBRA. Insurer-preferred networks are not always SAMBRA accredited; we are.
• Your warranty stays valid. Choosing your own repairer does not void your manufacturer or insurance warranty when the repairer meets OEM standards.
• You can dispute repair quality. The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) handles disputes if your insurer pressures you into substandard repairs.

How Insurance Repairs Work

1. Send us your damage details and your insurer's name
2. We do a check and write a clear repair quote
3. We send it to your insurer and chase the sign-off
4. Our SAMBRA-approved team fixes your car
5. Final check and handover

Insurance work often takes longer than cash repairs. The shop has to align the job with insurer rules, parts on hand and any extras found after strip-down. That does not mean the job runs wild. Each step is logged so you can see what was signed off, what was found later and what was fixed.

Why Choose Us for Insurance Repairs

• SAMBRA-approved shops since 1969
• All major insurers — Santam, Discovery, Outsurance, Hollard and more
• Full claim help from first call to final handover
• Regular updates while we fix your car
• Help with a courtesy car through your insurer
• Lifetime warranty on paint and workmanship

What to Bring or Send Us

To speed things up, send us your insurer name, claim number, car details, your contact info and clear photos of the damage. If your car is at a branch, our team gets the info there. Not sure if you should claim or pay cash? We can show you the trade-offs and help you compare with our cash repair option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose my own panel beater for insurance repairs?

Yes. South African law gives you the right to choose your own repairer. Your insurer cannot force you to use a set shop.

How long do insurance repairs take?

It depends on the damage and parts. Small jobs take 3 to 5 days. Big chassis work can take 10 to 15 working days. We give you real timing up front.

What do I need to start an insurance claim?

You will need your policy number, a police case number (if used), photos of the damage, your driver's licence and your car details.

Where Insurance Repairs Are Handled

We do insurance work at our Pretoria, Centurion and East London branches. Pick the closest shop if your car can drive. Or call us first if you need help on where to take it. Each branch page lists the address, phone and local info you need.

Our Branches

• Hercules (Pretoria West) – 353 Van Der Hoff Rd, Hercules, Pretoria West, 0030
• Rosslyn (Pretoria North) – 12 William Hoyt St, Rosslyn, Pretoria, 0200
• Waltloo (Pretoria East) – 19 Battery St, Waltloo, Pretoria, 0184
• Lyttelton Manor (Centurion) – 1008 Kruger Ave, Lyttelton Manor, Centurion, 0157
• Gately (East London) – Unit 4 Military Rd, Gately, East London, 5201

If your insurer is pushing you toward a specific repairer and you're not sure of your rights, call us first. We help drivers navigate this every day.

Start Your Claim | Insurers We Work With | All Services | Cash Repairs