Betterment

Betterment is the amount an insurer deducts from a repair claim when the work leaves the vehicle in a better condition than it was in before the accident, for example a brand new part replacing one that was already old or worn.

It explains why a workshop’s repair estimate and an insurer’s payout can differ. The insurer only has to restore the vehicle to its pre-accident condition, not improve it. How betterment affects a repair claim sets out the mechanics.

For example, replacing a ten-year-old corroded exhaust with a new one commonly attracts a betterment deduction. Ask the workshop for an itemised breakdown so any deduction is easy to check.

If an insurer’s deduction leaves your claim short, an independent lawyer can review it and take the claim on.