QBE will expand its accredited smash repairer network following its launch in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra at the start of last month.

The company is calling on smash repair suppliers to express interest in the first stage of a process to extend the network to locations in metropolitan and regional Australia.

“The comprehensive tender process is based on a repairer’s ability to provide repairs to passenger and light commercial vehicles as well as their ability to support all QBE’s distribution partners,” EGM Claims Jon Fox said.

In NSW, the network is set to be extended to Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast, while interest is being sought from repairers in the Victorian regional cities of Bendigo and Ballarat.

Other locations targeted are Albury-Wodonga, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Hobart and Darwin.

Suppliers must register their interest by Friday and submissions will be accepted from October 13-27. The new panel is expected to be in place by March 1.

QBE will finalise the review of its accredited smash repairer ASR network in remaining rural locations next year.