In California, you choose your body shop, not your insurer. You are never required to use the shop your insurance company recommends, and choosing your own shop cannot be used against your claim.
You have the right to choose. Under California Insurance Code Section 758.5, no insurance company can require you to have your vehicle repaired at a specific auto body shop. You can always choose the shop you trust, including an independent shop like MTY Collision.
When insurers recommend a shop, they must tell you this. Section 758.5(b)(3) requires insurers to provide a specific written notice, in at least 10 point type, whenever they recommend a particular repair shop as part of handling your claim. That notice has to disclose your right to pick a different shop. In plain terms, this notice requirement applies to the insurer's recommendation process, not to every claim regardless of circumstance. But if an adjuster steers you toward a shop, they are legally required to tell you that you do not have to go there.
You are protected if the insurer recommends a shop and you agree to it. Under Section 758.5(b)(3), if you accept the shop your insurer recommends, the insurer must have your vehicle restored to its pre loss condition at no additional cost to you beyond what your policy states.
You cannot be lowballed for choosing your own shop. Under Section 758.5(d)(2), if you elect to have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice, your insurer cannot limit or discount the reasonable cost of repairs based on what its own preferred shop would have charged.
If your chosen shop estimates higher than the insurer's number, you have options, and so does the insurer. Under the California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations (10 CCR Section 2695.8(f)), if there is a difference between your chosen shop's estimate and the insurer's evaluation, the insurer has to do one of three things: pay the difference, locate a shop that will complete the repair at the insurer's estimated cost and identify that shop to you if you ask, or adjust its evaluation to reflect the cost of the specific parts and labor your chosen shop is using. These are three separate paths the insurer can take, not a guarantee that they will simply pay the difference. Which path applies depends on your specific claim, so ask your adjuster directly which one they intend to use.
You can bring your vehicle to MTY Collision even if your insurance company recommended somewhere else. We work directly with insurance claims, including AAA claims, and we walk you through the estimate process so you understand your options before any repair begins. Your repair is backed by our lifetime warranty on workmanship, paint, and clear coat (non-transferable).
We serve the Bay Area from three locations: our flagship shop in Santa Clara, open seven days a week, plus Hayward and San Mateo. We also have dedicated pages for drivers in Sunnyvale and Burlingame.
No. Choosing a shop other than the one your insurer recommends does not give them grounds to deny a valid claim.
Your insurer is responsible for the reasonable cost of repairing your vehicle. If there is a cost difference between your chosen shop and the insurer's estimate, see the explanation above (Section 2695.8(f)) for the three ways that difference is resolved.
Some policies recommend a shop. Your insurer must disclose that provision to you in writing (Section 758.5(d)(1)), and you can still choose a different shop. If you pick your own shop, the insurer cannot discount the reasonable repair cost based on its preferred shop's pricing (Section 758.5(d)(2)).
Yes. We work with all major insurance companies, including AAA claims, and we bill the insurer directly. We handle the estimate, photos, supplements, and paperwork for you. Request a free estimate and we will walk you through your options.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific claim, consult a licensed attorney or your insurance company directly.
MTY Collision is an independent repair facility. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified by any insurance company.
Bring your car to the shop you trust. Get a free, no obligation estimate at MTY Collision, and we will take care of the insurance claim from start to finish.
