Choose Your Own Collision Shop in Warren, Michigan
Your insurance company may recommend a collision shop, provide a list of preferred repair facilities or suggest that you use one of its direct-repair locations. That does not mean you are required to take your vehicle there. Michigan consumers have the right to choose the repair facility they want to use.
Call (248) 545-4600 Send Us Your Insurance EstimateBy Law, the Choice of Collision Repair Facility Is Yours
Your insurance company can recommend a collision shop. It cannot require you to use that particular shop.Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services consumer guidance explains that insurance-company direct repair programs should not restrict a policyholder's choice of repair facility.
DIFS further states that when a physical-damage claim is filed, the insurer should tell the policyholder if it has an agreement with a particular repair facility and should also advise the policyholder that he or she is under no obligation to use that particular facility.
In other words, if your insurer gives you the name of a body shop, that is not the same thing as a legal requirement that you repair your vehicle there.
You can select the licensed collision repair facility you want to handle your vehicle.
Why Does My Insurance Company Recommend a Particular Body Shop?
Many insurance companies maintain networks of collision shops commonly known as direct repair programs or preferred repair facilities.
An insurer may select participating facilities based on its own requirements for estimating, pricing, documentation, repair procedures, communication and other program standards.
Some customers like the convenience of using an insurer's network shop. Others already have a collision repair facility they know and trust.
Either way, the fact that a shop participates in an insurance program does not eliminate your ability to choose another repair facility.
An Insurance Company May:
These Statements Do Not Mean You Have to Change Collision Shops
Insurance conversations can move quickly after an accident. It helps to understand the difference between a carrier explaining its process and actually controlling your repair-facility decision.
“Here Are Our Preferred Shops”
You may consider the list, but Michigan DIFS says you are under no obligation to use a particular recommended facility.
“This Shop Is in Our Network”
Network participation may change the insurer's claim process, but it does not automatically eliminate your repair-facility choice.
“We Already Wrote the Estimate”
You can take the insurance estimate to the collision shop you choose.
What Is an Insurance Direct Repair Program?
A direct repair program, often called a DRP, is an arrangement between an insurance company and selected repair facilities.
Participating Shops
The insurer selects repair facilities that participate in its program.
Streamlined Procedures
Network facilities may follow specific estimating, documentation and claim procedures.
Participation Is Optional for You
You may use a participating shop, but you are not obligated to choose that particular facility.
Independent Choice
You may instead select another licensed repair facility you want to work on the vehicle.
You Can Bring the Estimate to the Collision Shop You Choose
An insurance estimate does not lock the vehicle into the repair facility that prepared it or was recommended when the claim was opened.
Bring the Insurance Information
- Insurance estimate
- Claim number
- Adjuster contact information
- Accident photographs
- Vehicle information
- Any supplement already written
Your Chosen Shop Can Review the Vehicle
- Review visible collision damage
- Compare the vehicle with the insurer estimate
- Begin the repair-planning process
- Identify hidden damage after disassembly
- Document supplemental damage
- Communicate regarding the repair claim
The Insurance Company Is Not Automatically the Repair Customer
Michigan's repair-facility rules make an important distinction between the insurer paying a claim and the person actually authorizing the repair.
You Are Generally the Customer
Michigan states that in a damaged-vehicle repair transaction, the customer is the owner or operator—not the insurance company—unless signed written authorization makes the insurer the customer's agent.
Repairs Need Customer Approval
Michigan says approval for repairs may be given by the vehicle owner or person operating the vehicle when the repair is requested.
Payment Is Different From Authorization
An insurer may evaluate and pay a covered claim without automatically becoming the party that controls the repair transaction.
If the Choice Is Yours, What Should You Look For?
Do not choose a collision shop based only on who answers the insurance company's phone call first.
Is the Repair Facility Properly Licensed?
Michigan requires vehicle repair facilities to maintain a valid repair-facility license and display it where customers can see it.
Will They Explain the Repair?
A good repair facility should be willing to explain visible damage, hidden damage and what the repair plan involves.
Will They Work With Your Insurance Claim?
Ask whether the shop can review insurance estimates and document additional accident-related damage when needed.
How Will Parts Be Identified?
Understand whether OEM, aftermarket, used or other replacement parts are listed on the estimate.
What Happens if More Damage Is Found?
Ask how the facility handles supplements and customer authorization for additional repairs.
What Warranty Is Provided?
Ask what repair or refinish warranty applies and keep the paperwork after delivery.
Choosing Any Shop Does Not Automatically Mean Insurance Must Pay Any Price
Your right to choose a repair facility and the amount your insurer is obligated to pay are separate questions.
Michigan DIFS explains that an insurer is not necessarily required to pay more than a reasonable amount for repairs and parts under the terms of the policy.
If the insurer and independent repair facility disagree over repair cost, they may attempt to resolve that difference based on the repair and local market.
Why This Distinction Matters
You should not be told that you have lost your ability to choose a repair shop merely because the insurer recommends another facility.
At the same time, selecting a shop does not automatically guarantee that every difference in labor, parts or repair cost will be paid by the insurance company.
If a cost disagreement arises, ask the insurer and repair facility to clearly explain what is disputed and why.
What Happens After You Decide Where the Vehicle Is Going?
Tell the Insurer
Provide the insurance company with the name of the repair facility you selected.
Send Claim Information
Give the shop your claim number, insurer estimate and adjuster information.
Vehicle Is Inspected
The shop reviews the actual collision damage and existing estimate.
Repair Planning Begins
Hidden damage, supplemental repairs and required parts can then be addressed as the repair develops.
More Information for Warren Drivers
Common Questions Warren Drivers Ask About Choosing Their Body Shop
Can I choose my own collision repair shop in Michigan?
Can my insurance company make me use its preferred body shop?
Is choosing my own body shop actually protected under Michigan law?
What if insurance already sent me to another shop?
Can I take the insurance estimate to another body shop?
What is a preferred collision shop?
What is a DRP collision shop?
Does choosing my own shop cancel my insurance claim?
Will insurance still work with the collision shop I choose?
Does insurance have to pay whatever my chosen shop charges?
Who authorizes the collision repair?
What should I bring to the collision shop I choose?
What if the chosen shop finds more damage?
Does the collision shop need to be licensed in Michigan?
Can The Collision Repair Shop work with my insurance company?
How do I choose The Collision Repair Shop for my Warren claim?
Your Insurance Company Can Recommend a Shop. You Decide Who Repairs Your Vehicle.
If you live or work in Warren and already have an insurance estimate, claim number or damaged vehicle, you can choose The Collision Repair Shop to review the collision damage and help you through the repair process.
Call (248) 545-4600 Send Us Your Insurance Estimate