Can I choose where to get my vehicle repaired after an accident?

When you’ve been in an accident, you may be glad you’re working with one of the best affordable auto insurance companies. However, you’ll still want to get a repair shop to fix your vehicle as soon as possible.

You may wonder if you can use a repair shop that is convenient for you or if you need to use a facility that your insurance company recommends. We understand that this situation could be confusing, so we have performed the research for you and answered the question below. (For more information, read our “What happens if I don’t agree with the amount the insurance company is offering me for repairs to my vehicle?“).

You Can Choose Where to Get Your Vehicle Repaired After an Accident

State regulations do not allow a car insurance company to insist that you take your vehicle to a repair shop of their choice. You can ignore the recommendation that your insurance company may give you if you have an existing relationship with a certain repair shop or find that one facility is more convenient.

State Regulations Cover Your Choice of Automobile Repair Facility

To be sure about the rules in your state, you should refer to your local government website. For example, in the Commissioners Bulletin from the Texas Department of Insurance, an insurance company may not suggest to a beneficiary that they must use a specific repair facility for repairs covered by a policy.

Usually, the insurance company must tell the claimant that they have the right to select their own facility and the parts used for repairs.

Insurance Companies Also Have Some Protection in This Situation

Typically, you cannot expect an insurance company to pay more than a reasonable amount for any repairs and parts. The company may also ask you to get at least one estimate so they can compare the costs and satisfy themselves that the facility has not overly inflated the costs.

Many state regulations also suggest that an insurance company cannot try to settle a claim without spending a reasonable amount to repair or replace the property with service or parts of identical kind and quality.

It’s not unusual for an insurance provider to dispute the amount that the repair shop may quote. Check out “What if insurance won’t pay the repair shop’s quoted price?” This article will go into detail about what happens in this situation. You may also want to learn more about how auto insurance claims work.

Read more: What happens if I don’t agree with the amount the insurance company is offering me for repairs to my vehicle?

Some Insurance Companies Have Arrangements With Repair Shops

It is not unusual for an insurance company to have an ongoing relationship with a repair shop or network of repair shops. The facility or network in question may offer a quantity discount to the insurance company, which can help lower overall costs.

Still, auto insurance companies pay out claims regardless of where you take your vehicle for repairs.

There’s nothing wrong with this arrangement, and you may find it convenient to use one of the company’s preferred facilities. However, the company cannot insist that you do so or pressure you in any way.

State Regulations Say That You Can Choose Where to Get Your Vehicle Repaired After an Accident

You can choose where to take your car for repairs following an accident. The insurance company may ask you to get at least one estimate, but they cannot insist that you only use a facility of their choice.

Many companies have recommended facilities as part of a business relationship to help them reduce costs.