June 19, 2023 — AVIVA is the latest Canadian p&c insurer to roll out its own one-stop motor vehicle repair shops for collision claims.

The Markham, Ont.-based insurer opened the first Aviva AutoCare Centre earlier this month in the North York area of Toronto.

And the company said it is planning a string of facilities in the Greater Toronto Area and Alberta that will be refurbished with the use of sustainable materials including energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly window coverings and native-plant gardens.

The insurer said that when a customer in those areas has an accident, they will be able to choose to have their vehicle repaired by an Aviva AutoCare Centre nearest to them. The client can then, if needed, drop off their vehicle and leave in a rental while assessments and repairs are made.

Aviva said clients are informed throughout the repair process and notified when their vehicle is repaired and ready for pickup.

It said customers will benefit from faster claims handling because the insurer will have more oversight with the replacement parts and labour.

TD Insurance has operated similar service centres for several years.

It has TD Insurance Auto Centres in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, London, Ont., Kitchener, Ont., Calgary, Edmonton and Halifax.

Other major insurers have offered preferred provider programs for many years.

Intact, Canada’s largest auto insurer, has a program called Rely Network, which refers clients across the country to independent collision repair specialists.

Co-operators has an ‘Enhanced Service Partner Program,’ which does the same. Definity Financial recommends ‘Repair Partners.’

And at Allstate, if a policyholder uses one of its recommended ‘Priority Repair Option’ (PRO) vendors for auto or property repairs, it guarantees the fixes for as long as the client owns the car or home.

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