QandAs: Finance

Can I go to any Body Shop for an Estimate?

Answer:
Yes, most states have insurance laws that allow you to go to any body shop rather than the insurance company’s recommended repair facility.

Many insurers have affiliations or agreements with certain body shops (often called “preferred” auto body repair shops or collision centers).

These agreements are convenient for the insurance company as well as the body shop as prices, quality of parts, and billing arrangements have already been agreed upon. But as a consumer, you are not obligated to go the insurance company’s preferred body shop.

For example, in California, consumer choice is the rule. The consumer must decide which body shop to take the vehicle to. The insurance company can certainly recommend a shop but ultimately, the decision lies with the consumer.

The same is true for auto glass insurance claims. While an insurance company may want you to go to a particular, affiliated auto glass replacement shop, you can pick the one that you want to repair or replace your car’s glass.

For collision claims, one estimate is generally fine for insurance purposes. Depending on the nature of the damage, an insurance adjuster may want to look at the vehicle and make their own estimate. This is often done at the claims center, the collision center, or even at your home or office.