MTASA: New MVIRI Code of Conduct

Insurers, Australian Motor Body Repairers Association (AMBRA) and the MTA through our national body have agreed on the new Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct (MVIRI), which came into effect as of 1 May 2017.

One of the main differences compared to the previous MVIRI is the inclusion of section 4.2 – Insurers will, sub-paragraph (c): in non-Event periods, consider estimates and commence assessor communication with the Repairer within:· for the period commencing 1 July 2017, an average of five (5) working days per repairer from the system receipt of the repairer’s estimate subject to 4.2(d) and the reasonable availability of the vehicle and/or the customer’s availability. This means that insurers must assess a vehicle on average, per repairer, within five days of receipt of the quote. This is a huge win for industry and our members, and was achieved by repairers nationwide lodging Industrial Dispute Resolution forms (IDR’s).

The lodging of IDR’s is significant as without them changes such as this to the legislation would not be possible. If you believe an insurer is acting outside the MVIRI Code of Conduct, submitting an IDR is the perfect way to get action. It will help build a case to legislators that there is a problem, and can result in a resolution of the problem if the IDR is lodged while the issue is occurring.

AMBRA and the MTA are already in discussions as to possible changes as part of the next review, and would appreciate as much feedback as possible from repairers. Affected members MUST stop using the old MVIRI dated 1 Jan 2016, and use the new MVIRI immediately.

If you have any questions regarding the new MVIRI please call the MTA SA on 8291 2000.