Research by the Dutch Association of Insurers shows that 78 percent of car owners would (probably) opt for the used door. Even among respondents who say they do 'little or nothing' about sustainability, 45 percent still choose the sustainable option.
Promoting sustainable recovery
This autumn, the Association commissioned a survey among 1,500 consumers who own a car and/or live independently. "We would like to know how consumers view sustainable damage repair. But also how this can be promoted," says Floske Weehuizen, Mobility Policy Advisor.
The results make her hopeful. "Of all those surveyed who have gained experience with sustainable damage repair, three-quarters were satisfied. Only seven percent were not satisfied with the service offered."
Forerunners and deniers
In the study, a classification was made based on the attitude that consumers have about sustainability. For example, the forerunners consciously choose to live sustainably, while the climate deniers think sustainability is nonsense. In between are the convenience seekers ('I recycle occasionally, but it's not my top priority'), the consumers who are passive ('I do very little, because it doesn't matter anyway') and those who are conscious & active ('where possible I try to make sustainable choices').
Nick (27): "If you do have to replace a skylight, you might as well do it sustainably right away. Right?"
Case study
Nick (27 years old) puts himself in the latter category. During a recent storm, the skylight of his house blew off. That same day, a damage expert came on behalf of the insurer to temporarily close the hole on the roof.
Nick then asked if they could install a new skylight with HR++ glass during the repair. Extra durable and it insulates a lot better than the blown away window. That turned out to be possible, but with a personal contribution of 110 euros. "We immediately googled and found out that if we were to replace this 'normally', it would be a lot more expensive. If you have to replace it anyway, you might as well do it sustainably right away. Right?"
Young people more likely to be in the lead
The research shows that young people are more likely to be in the lead than older people. "In that respect, there is still plenty of work to be done," emphasises researcher Rinda Vreven-Claassen of the Association's Data Analytics Centre . "More than seven out of ten consumers surveyed have never heard of sustainable damage repair. And 'only' 22 percent can explain what it is. Moreover, the people who could opt for sustainable recovery are just as likely to be satisfied with the result as people who are not given a choice."
Manifesto Sustainable Damage Repair
The research confirms that insurers – in collaboration with NIVRE and Schoonmakend Nederland – are on the right track, according to policy adviser Nico Tijsterman. On behalf of the Association, he is involved in the further elaboration of the Manifest Duurzaam Schadeherstel and is especially pleased with the outcome that the majority would have opted for sustainable repair if there was such a possibility. "That is exactly what we are working on now. Eighteen pilot projects will start in January and this research provides insight into how we can further refine those pilots."
Want to know more about (the manifesto and) sustainable damage repair? Check out our speciale themapagina.