Do I Have to Use the Body Shop My Insurance Recommends in California?
No. California law protects your right to choose your repair shop. Here is what that means, what to tell your insurer, and how a direct repair shop differs.
By the team at Fix Auto Apple Valley ·
It is one of the most common questions we hear at the front desk. You just had an accident, you called your insurance company, and they gave you the name of a shop. Do you have to use it? In California, the answer is no. You choose where your car is repaired. Here is what that means in practice.
What California law says
California Insurance Code section 758.5 says an insurance company cannot require you to have your vehicle repaired at a particular shop. An insurer may recommend a shop, but the decision is yours. The law also protects you from being pressured: the insurer cannot make you feel you have no other option.
The rule applies whether you are filing under your own policy or making a claim against the other driver's insurance.
Why insurers recommend certain shops
Many insurers have direct repair programs (DRPs), networks of shops that agree to the insurer's pricing and procedures in exchange for referrals. A DRP shop can be a fine choice, and the process is often convenient. But the shop has an agreement with the insurance company, and some drivers prefer a shop whose only job is to fix their car correctly.
Either way, it is your call. Fix Auto Apple Valley works with every major insurance company, in or out of network.
What to tell your insurance company
It really is this simple:
- Report the accident and get a claim number.
- Tell them: "I'd like my car repaired at Fix Auto Apple Valley."
- Send us the claim number, or bring the car in. We take it from there.
We write the estimate, send photos to the adjuster, and handle supplements, the additional approvals needed when we find hidden damage after taking the car apart. You pay your deductible when you pick up the car; the insurer pays us the rest. More detail is on our insurance claim assistance page.
Things that do not change when you choose your own shop
- Your coverage. Your policy pays for a proper repair no matter which shop does it.
- Rental coverage. If your policy includes a rental, it still applies. We can help coordinate a rental through nearby Enterprise or Hertz locations; see shuttle and rental car assistance.
- Your deductible. It is set by your policy, not the shop.
How to pick the right shop
Ask any shop you are considering:
- Are you certified by my vehicle's manufacturer? We hold certifications from Ford, Honda, and Acura, plus I-CAR Gold Class training.
- Do you follow the manufacturer's repair procedures? See why that matters on our OEM certified repairs page.
- What warranty do you offer? Our repair work carries a lifetime warranty.
- How will you keep me updated? We text or call with progress and timing.
Common questions
Will my claim take longer if I do not use a DRP shop?
Usually not in any way you will notice. We submit estimates and photos through the same systems insurers use, and we follow up on approvals for you.
Can the insurer refuse to pay my shop's estimate?
Insurers and shops sometimes disagree on what a repair requires. When that happens, we document the damage and the manufacturer's procedures and work it out with the adjuster, so you are not stuck in the middle.
Does this apply if the other driver was at fault?
Yes. You can choose your shop on a third-party claim too.
Have a claim number already? Call us, text us, or send photos, and we will take it from there.