The National Body Repair Association is calling for a fixed energy fee of £35 to be applied to all estimates until 1 June.
It has proposed this temporary measure in a letter to all insurers and networks after members reported a rise in costs driven partly by the conflict in the Middle East.
NBRA executive director Martyn Rowley said: “We recognise that rising costs are having a direct and significant impact on operating margins across the repair sector.
“In response to this, we have now formally written to all insurers and networks to highlight these concerns and to seek a collaborative solution.
“We have proposed the introduction of a temporary £35 energy fee as a short-term, transparent measure to help offset the exceptional and rapidly increasing cost of energy and fuel.
“Our aim is to ensure that the real-world pressures are clearly understood by insurers and that appropriate, pragmatic steps are considered to support repairer sustainability during this period.
“We will keep you fully updated on the responses we receive and any developments following this engagement.”
