Should I Use My Insurance's Recommended Body Shop?

December 13, 2023

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a row of cars with their hoods open in an auto body repair garage

So you're in an accident and sustained significant damage that needs to be repaired. The good news is that it's likely covered by your auto insurance. The challenge is that you're likely going to have to figure out what body shop to take it to, to make these repairs.

Oftentimes, your insurance company will recommend a body shop to take your vehicle to. It leads many vehicle owners to wonder: Should I use an insurance-recommended body shop? Let's discuss:

Do You Have to Use the Recommended Auto Shop?

Simply put, the answer is "no." Insurance companies often have relationships with various body shops or repair centers, and they tend to direct their customers to these outlets because it's often cheaper and easier for them. But whether that's a more convenient option for you - both in the short and long term - isn't always a sure thing. It's perfectly fine to take your vehicle to another body shop or repair center.

Should You Look Elsewhere?

You certainly can - and there are pros and cons to doing so.

Some of the advantages of looking outside your insurance-recommended body shop include:

You can ensure the repair center uses industry-leading parts and offers the warranties you want on service. Some insurance-recommended body shops don't use OEM replacement parts.
You can better ensure your vehicle is repaired with quality workmanship.

However, there can be some inconveniences to working with the body shop that you select. For instance:

You may have to pay the body shop and wait for later reimbursement from your insurance company. When you work with an insurance-recommended firm, payments are often streamlined between your insurer and the shop.
The shop is likely to be able to begin work on your vehicle right away due to its relationship with your insurance company. This can result in faster repairs and less of an overall inconvenience for you.

a man is working on a car in an auto body repair garage with the hood up

Advantages of Using Insurance-Recommended Body Shops

As we noted in the above section, the biggest benefit of using the body shop recommended by your insurance company is that, in many cases, it's an overall more convenient option. Payment for service is often streamlined and you don't have to act as a middleman when it comes to repair costs. In some cases, you may have to wait on a check from your insurer in order to pay the body shop. This can take time - and even if your vehicle has been finished, you'll likely not be able to pick it up until you can pay them.

Additionally, because your insurance company has a relationship with the shop it's suggesting, your vehicle repair often goes to the front of the line. Both of these benefits can result in you getting your vehicle back much faster than if you were to use your own shop.