That is a very good question, but unfortunately, it’s a question that many people ask only AFTER there has been an accident. It certainly pays to answer these questions before hand so you know what to do. Also if you prepare now, you’ll have a cool head and make good decisions. If you wait until you are in the middle of an accident, you’ll be stressed, scared, and with many things to handle at once.
Fortunately for you, the California law supports you. The California Insurance Code states that an insurance company CAN NOT request you to have your car repaired at a specific repair shop. So, you’re free to take your car wherever you want.
Nevertheless, you might want to consider getting your car repaired at a repair shop that the insurance company recommends. Most insurance companies have a relationship with a few repair shops, which means that they know the procedures by heart. They probably have handled a situation like yours several times already. Also, it makes it more likely for the insurance company to accept your claim in full. And if you don’t like the recommendation, you can always go to another repair shop.
In any case, the conditions required by law for recommending a repair shop are the following:
- You have to ask for the recommendation from your insurance company. I suggest you do this before you have the need to (that is, before an accident happens), so that you know who to call in case you need to.
- The insurance company informs you in writing (preferably in the same paper where they give you the recommendation, although it’s not necessary) that you have a right to select the repair shop of your choice, nevertheless.
- If you do decide to follow the recommendation and take your car to the repair shop that you were recommended, the insurance company has to get your car in the same condition as it was before the accident without any additional cost except any that you have agreed on the policy or any that’s applicable by law.
- If the recommendation is made orally and you accept it, then the company has to follow through its recommendation in no more than 5 calendar days.
- The insurance company is responsible for the repairs of its recommended repair shop, in case the car is not fixed to the state it was before the accident.