Auto body repair: The body shop is up to you
When your vehicle gets crunched in a crash, your insurance company may recommend certain body shops for the repairs. But you don't have to go there.
Insurance companies like to recommend certain shops that participate in their Direct Repair Program.
DRP shops make special agreements with insurance companies regarding performance and payment, often giving the insurer discounts on parts and labor. Shops that participate in a DRP have typically earned the insurers approval. It's like qualifying to be on a so-called preferred list. Participating shops say the money they give up in concessions to the insurance companies, is recouped with the added business they get by participating in the DRP. The insurance company backs up their work, in addition to the body shop warranty.
But that doesn't mean a DRP shop is automatically better than a shop that's not on the insurance company's list.
Under state law, you can choose whatever repair shop you want. What's more, those three written estimates you may be asked to get are not mandatory. Your insurance company negotiates the payment with the repair shop.
Insurance companies see their Direct Repair Programs as a way to control costs, insure reliability and trust, and speed up the claims process by working with shops that have essentially been pre-screened. So, there is the possibility that using your own shop "might" increase the time it takes to get payment. Be sure to discuss that with your auto body shop beforehand.
Also find out who foots the bill if the body shop you choose cannot come to terms with your insurance company on costs and payment. Some shops will absorb the difference to keep you as a customer. With others, you may be on the hook for what the insurance company will not pay.
So it's up to you. You can go with what your insurance company recommends, or you can go with the shop of your choice. The key- is to only deal with reputable repair shop that has a good track record and will guarantee their work.
Insurance companies like to recommend certain shops that participate in their Direct Repair Program.
DRP shops make special agreements with insurance companies regarding performance and payment, often giving the insurer discounts on parts and labor. Shops that participate in a DRP have typically earned the insurers approval. It's like qualifying to be on a so-called preferred list. Participating shops say the money they give up in concessions to the insurance companies, is recouped with the added business they get by participating in the DRP. The insurance company backs up their work, in addition to the body shop warranty.
But that doesn't mean a DRP shop is automatically better than a shop that's not on the insurance company's list.
Under state law, you can choose whatever repair shop you want. What's more, those three written estimates you may be asked to get are not mandatory. Your insurance company negotiates the payment with the repair shop.
Insurance companies see their Direct Repair Programs as a way to control costs, insure reliability and trust, and speed up the claims process by working with shops that have essentially been pre-screened. So, there is the possibility that using your own shop "might" increase the time it takes to get payment. Be sure to discuss that with your auto body shop beforehand.
Also find out who foots the bill if the body shop you choose cannot come to terms with your insurance company on costs and payment. Some shops will absorb the difference to keep you as a customer. With others, you may be on the hook for what the insurance company will not pay.
So it's up to you. You can go with what your insurance company recommends, or you can go with the shop of your choice. The key- is to only deal with reputable repair shop that has a good track record and will guarantee their work.
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