Physical Inspections Desktop Inspections Audatex Diminution Reports
About Us
Engineering Consultants To The Motor Insurance Industry Since 2016
Motor Insurance Engineers Based in Shaw, Greater Manchester.
Direct Inspections Ltd are Motor Engineers / Vehicle Assessors that carry out inspections on behalf of Insurance Companies, Claims Management Companies and vehicle accident related work providers.
At Direct Inspections we pride ourselves on our professionalism, great service and the quality of our Engineer Reports. With honesty, integrity and moral principles at the forefront of everything we do.
You will find that the content of our Engineer Reports are unbiased, factual and wrote with integrity and standards expected of a Professional Engineer.
Our work includes the mainstream day to day Engineering inspections, to carrying out Third Party Payment Pack reviews for and on behalf of our Insurer clients. We also carry out post repair inspections were fraud is suspected, accident reconstruction/consistency reports, as well as Defending Diminution Claims. Which is our specialist field.
Direct Inspections have all the latest Vehicle Computerised Estimating Systems, such as Audatex and Glass’s Repair Estimate.
Up to the minute updates can be obtained through our Online Portal, where completed reports and images can also be viewed by clients via Secure login.
The MD of the Company has over 25 years experience, working for and on behalf of Major Insurance Companies and is a Fully Qualified Member of the ‘Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors’.
Bespoke Inspections are carried out by a Fully Qualified Member of the ‘Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors’.
Why risk a Court Hearing with an Expert Witness who doesn’t have the relevant Engineering qualifications?
We can offer competitive rates, fast turnaround and of course expertise that we believe is unrivaled in the Independent Engineering Field.
If you are looking for a reliable , efficient and qualified Engineers to come onto your panel of existing work providers. Please call me directly and I will be more than happy to assist you in providing Engineering solutions for your company.
Martyn Finnagan M.Inst AEA MFIEA
Managing Director of Direct Inspections Ltd
SERVICES
PHYSICAL INSPECTIONS
We carry out Physical Inspections on all types of vehicles, with coverage of the North West of England and West Yorkshire.
Other areas available upon request
Accident Consistency
We can carry out Accident Consistency Reports by Qualified Engineers who are FULL Members of the ‘Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors’
Why risk a Court Hearing with an Expert Witness without the relevant qualifications?
ACCIDENT CONSISTENCY INSPECTIONS
Accident Consistency
We can carry out Accident Consistency Reports by Qualified Engineers who are FULL Members of the ‘Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors’
Why risk a Court Hearing with an Expert Witness without the relevant qualifications?
POST REPAIR INSPECTIONS
Direct Inspections will inspect the vehicle and report on the quality of the repair carried out to a repaired vehicle. Confirming whether a repair matches the repair invoice submitted to the Insurer.Recent common malpractice of individuals and companies submitting vastly inflated repair invoices has become a major problem for Insurer’s. In many instances, inflated repair invoices have been submitted to Insurer’s where vehicle repairs have been carried out to an inferior quality and in some instances no repairs have been carried out at all. At Direct Inspections we can identify any such misdeed.Our experienced Engineers can provide an accurate costs analysis of the repair invoice and identify any malpractice or inflated repair costs.Engineers can verify whether a panel has been repaired or replaced and check the paint depth readings for evidence of repair.Reports will confirm if the vehicle has been repaired to an acceptable commercial standard and check whether second hand parts have been used
DIMINUTION REPORTS
Diminution Reports
Both Claimant and Defendant
CLAIMANT
If you have been involved in a RTA (Road Traffic Accident) and the accident is not your fault. Once your vehicle has been repaired, the value of your vehicle may have been reduced due to the repair.
This is called Diminution in value and is a valid head of claim accepted by the Courts.
For example: Two identical vehicles are side by side in a car showroom. One vehicle is in its original condition and the other has had a substantial body repair carried out to it as a result of a RTA.
Question is: Which vehicle would you buy?
Almost everyone would buy the vehicle that has not been involved in an accident.
Any potential purchaser would only show an interest in purchasing the vehicle that had been repaired, with a substantial reduction in price.
This reduction is the amount the vehicle has diminished in value, directly as a result of the accident damaged repairs carried out to the vehicle. No matter how good the quality of the repair.
As experts in this field, we can supply a Diminution report detailing the value of this loss and the reasons why. Making way for a Diminution claim against the At Fault party/Insurer.
DEFENDANT
Let us review your Diminution claim and advise if the Diminution Claim is a Valid Head of Claim.
Our Expertise in this field maybe able to avoid, or reduce your outlay.
DESKTOP SERVICES
DESKTOP INSPECTIONS
AUDATEX
Audatex is a state of the art vehicle estimating software programme that most major Insurer’s use. It allows repairers to Electronically network estimates and images remotely, to the Inspecting Engineer.
Repairers are able to compile a fully costed estimate based on Manufacturer’s Times and submit with images to Direct Inspections, for our Engineer’s to audit and agree fair and reasonable costs with the repairer.
Audatex can be used in conjunction with Manufacturer’s Times and Methods or TTS (Thatcham Time Schedule) Times and methods.
Our Engineer’s will endeavour to ensure that the proposed repair costs are reasonable and that the correct repair methods are adhered to, in repairing the vehicle to its pre accident condition.
SALVAGE IMAGING
Desktop Inspections that are carried out via images sent to us from the salvage agent, or directly from the Client.
Vehicle condition appraisal, and a valuation is placed on the vehicle, taking into account mileage and condition of the vehicle.
Vehicle History checks will be carried out to confirm whether the vehicle has been previously deemed a Total Loss and whether the vehicle holds a valid MOT Test certificate.
STOLEN NOT RECOVERED
We are able to carry out a valuation on a ‘Stolen Not Recovered’ vehicle from the vehicle Documents.
Vehicle History checks will be carried out to confirm whether the vehicle has been previously deemed a Total Loss and whether the vehicle holds a valid MOT Test certificate.
Estimating Services
Audatex Estimates For Repairers
Audatex Estimates For Repairers
Audatex Estimates For Repairers
We have Estimating Solutions forVehicle Bodyshop's that do not have Computerised Estimating, or Audatex experience.
Direct Inspections can compile the Repair Estimate on yor behalf and Network the Audatex Estimate the relevent work provider for Authorisation
Estimates Compiled By Experts
Audatex Estimates For Repairers
Audatex Estimates For Repairers
Fully Audatex Trained Assessors will carry out your Repair Estimate using the Audatex Estimating Software.
These Estimates are compiled using Manufacturer's Methods and Times, Fully costed with a Full breakdown of costs.
The Audatex Estimating System is used by most major Insurer's
Fixed Pricing
Audatex Estimates For Repairers
Fixed Pricing
- Audatex Estimate
- £55.00 + VAT
- Audatex Estimate + Networking To Work Provider/Insurer
- £75.00 + VAT - First Supplement Free
- Each Supplementory Estimates
- £20.00 + VAT
SERVICES
DESKTOP INSPECTIONS
PAPER ESTIMATES
Where possible, Direct Inspections can review Paper Estimates and make a quick decision on whether the vehicle is Repairable, or Beyond Economical repair. Acting swiftly can minimise any Third Party Hire costs.
If the vehicle is Repairable, we can negotiate and agree costs on the Principles behalf on the same day.
If the vehicle is Beyond Economical repair, we can provide a valuation ,either with images. Or an approximate valuation without images, based on the last known mileage..
THIRD PARTY PAYMENT PACK REVIEW'S
This Service of Third Party Documentation Review, is where we provide a report on the analysis of the Third Party Repair Documentation.
We will compile a Repair Estimate from the costs and/or images provided and produce a costing comparison, using Vehicle Manufacturers Times and Methods.
Provide Spot Labour Rate Checks in the relevant geographical area
Compare the repairing garages BSi/Manufacurer Approvals v Labour Rate
Measure the Repair Duration from the labour Hours provided
DESKTOP ACCIDENT CONSISTENCY
Is your current preferred Forensic Engineering Company providing value for money?
We can carry out both Physical and Desktop inspections and provide an Accident Consistency report for clients.
Our Desktop Service may assist in avoiding unnecessary , expensive Forensic Engineer Inspections By identifying, or eliminating fraudulent claims at a much lower cost.
ENGINEERING REFERRAL SERVICES
We can provide a Referral Service to our clients on engineering issues, where our In House Engineers can provide experienced sound advice.
Many members of our In House Engineering team have previously worked for large Insurer’s for many years and are able to offer a wealth of experience to our client referrals.
This service is extremely helpful to Insurer’s and Claims handling companies that do not have the luxury of having their own In House Engineering unit.
Our knowledgeable engineering team can offer advice and assistance on many motor Insurance claims issues. Including invoice analysis, credit hire analysis, valuation disputes, parts delays, repair durations, diminution claims, salvage category issues, road worthiness and general claims referrals.
Basically, the service we provide is just like having your own In House Engineering Team as a direct point of referral.
Offering our clients a good knowledgeable expert referral service.
SERVICES
DESKTOP INSPECTIONS
THIRD PARTY FAST TRACK TOTAL LOSS VALUATION
Third Party Fast Track Total Loss Valuation
Should an urgent valuation be required to minimise Third Party Hire Outlays, we can provide a Same Day Desktop Valuation Service, to assist in controlling unnecessary hire cost outlay.
TAXIS
Direct inspections engineers have been inspecting taxis and private hire vehicles for many years We understand that a taxi off the road is not only losing the driver his livelihood but potentially costing insurers a small fortune in hire or loss of use payments. We pride ourselves in speedy accurate reporting using our extensive knowledge of taxi and private hire vehicles whether it be a standard saloon car, a wheel chair adapted E7 or the latest LEVC Drive TX.
We also inspect private hire vehicles that have been accident damaged and are returning back to service.
MOTORCYCLES
We inspect all types of Motorcycles and Scooters. Either Physical Inspections, or on Desktop.
If you require a Rapid Valuation to minimise Hire. Call Us.
Rapid Turnaround Guaranteed!
BODYSHOP AUDITS
Direct Inspections can carry out bodyshop audits on behalf of Insurer’s on the Approved repairer network.
Analysing previous invoices and verifying that the correct repairs authorised have actually been adhered to. We will check that all the invoiced parts have been purchased and fitted to the vehicles audited.
We are also able to check that the repairers are abiding to PAS 125 methods and that QC checks and the quality of the final repair is to an acceptable standard.
CONSULTANCY & TRAINING
Direct Inspections offer Consultancy to the Motor Insurance Industry.
Expert Consultancy and Training is available on a Bespoke Basis to suit Motor Insurer and Motor Claims requirements.
SERVICES
AERIAL INSPECTIONS
DRONE INSPECTIONS
HIGH QUALITY AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND 4K VIDEO
The latest addition to our Inspection Services is our Drone Aerial Inspection Service.
Our CAA Registered Drone, is a Fully Insured and available for Aerial Inspections on a Hourly Basis.
- Aerial Photography and Video
- Building Inspections
- Locus Forensic Accident Aerial Imaging
- Flood Inspections
- Inaccessible Locations
- Investigations
The Only Aerial Vehicle Inspection Service Carried Out By an IAEA Qualified Engineer in the UK
Videos
Highlights
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Factual Reports You Can Rely On
Direct Inspections Pride itself on Honesty and Integrity