YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to have your car repaired by the shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot direct you otherwise. BY LAW you are not required to have your car repaired in a shop recommended by the insurance company.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED to get more than one estimate.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED to take your car to an insurance company's drive-in claim service.
You may legally designate your repair shop to negotiate a fair claim settlement with your insurance company.
The collision shop is not allowed to negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf without your knowledge and permission.
As stated in your policy, you have the right to require your insurance company to pay all reasonable costs (less the pre-agreed upon amount
of your deductible) to restore your vehicle to pre-loss condition.
You have the right to have the same factory quality parts installed on your vehicle as the ones you are replacing without being charged for “betterment”.
The insurance company has a limited number of days after proper notification to inspect your car. If additional damage is found after dismantling, the insurance company has to re-inspect after proper notification without delay.
Your insurance company must negotiate in good faith. You are entitled to a prompt fair settlement to repair your car to its pre-accident condition.
No insurance company shall issue a check or draft in payment of claim, implying acceptance of such as final or binding.
As a third-party claimant, you have the right to alternative transportation until repairs are completed if the accident was not your fault.
IMPORTANT: Difference in repair estimates is common. Ask your shop to explain the method of repair.
Ask your shop if they are:
I-CAR Trained
A. S. E. Certified
