Can the Insurance Company Require You To Use Certain Repair Shops?

It’s a common misconception that car insurance companies require you to use certain repair shops; however, they may try and coerce you into choosing a particular repair shop that is beneficial to the insurance company.

Car insurance requirements after an accident will vary by state, but you have the right to choose any repair shop after a car accident. An experienced car accident attorney can help if you feel that you are being improperly pressured by either your own auto insurance or the insurance company of the other party involved in your accident.

If you have been involved in a car accident and you feel the insurance company is trying to infringe upon your rights, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation and to find a personal injury lawyer near you.

What Does the Law Say About Choosing a Repair Shop?

Each state has subtle variations in the laws governing your rights after a car accident. One consistency across states is that you have the right to choose your repair shop—regardless of what your insurance company tries to persuade you to do. If your insurance company made statements that it will not be responsible for certain repairs done by shops not on its list, it misrepresented the law.

It is illegal for a car insurance company to force you to use certain repair shops; however, this might not stop an insurance company from attempting to coerce you to anyway. A personal injury lawyer can help make sure you understand your rights and take the appropriate actions that are best for you.

How Insurance Companies May Mislead Crash Victims

After a car accident, your car insurance company will not always tell you everything you are entitled to because they are motivated to save their company money. They may give the impression that the insurance company requires you to use certain repair shops. The insurance company may also claim that these shops are their preferred repair shops because they can guarantee the repairs; these are false claims.

These repair shops usually make the “approved” list with insurance companies because they are cheaper and can save the car insurance company money. The preferred list of repair shops exists solely to benefit the insurance company. The recommended list of repair shops could perform lower quality repairs to your vehicle that could end up costing you more money in the future.

Remember, it is your decision when it comes to choosing a repair shop for your vehicle after a car accident. So, be wary of the following tactics:

• Claiming one shop is more convenient
• Claiming a shop is out of network
• Claiming excess expenses if you choose a more expensive shop
• Claiming a void warranty: the warranty comes from the auto body shop, not the insurance company.

Choosing the Right Repair Shop

Lower quality repairs could range from cosmetic imperfections to serious mechanical issues that can compromise the car’s safety. If you go back and repair damage done by another repair shop that your insurance company already paid for, it would have to come from your own pocket.

You have the right to choose your own body shop to repair your car after a car accident; it is illegal for a car insurance company to coerce, force, or pressure you into choosing a particular shop. You should be wary of taking your car to a body shop based solely on the recommendation of an insurance company because they have a motive when recommending a shop to you. Perform your own search by looking up reviews or asking family or friends for a recommendation on where to take your vehicle for repairs.

When choosing a body shop, you may want to visit them in person to see how you feel about using their services; ask about any warranties the shop provides for repairs and be sure you are satisfied with the equipment they use and their repairs process. A good repair shop will keep you updated on all stages of the repair, including whether any other damages are found or other issues that may arise. When it comes to making the repairs on your vehicle, you are the customer, not the insurance company. In fact, it’s your right to shop around different repair garages and see what their rates are — not only will this increase your chances of finding a good deal, but you’ll also have the chance to gather more perspectives from other mechanics that can inform you of whether or not the insurance company is trying to rip you off.

Zinda Law Group Is Here To Help

At Zinda Law Group, our personal injury lawyers are experienced and have handled many cases nationwide involving victims of auto insurance requirements and improper coercion. We have personal injury attorneys in locations across the nation ready to assist you. We have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you determine what to do next and to help you recover the best possible outcome for your case.

Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free and confidential consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys and to locate an auto accident insurance claim lawyer near you. You will pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.