Can I Choose My Own Body Shop in California?
The short answer
Yes. The California Department of Insurance says the choice of repair shop is yours, and an insurer can suggest a shop but cannot require you to use it. Choosing a shop does not by itself settle what the insurer will pay or what repairs are needed, so expect to compare written estimates.
General information, not legal advice. Coverage and claim outcomes depend on policy terms and individual facts.
What the right to choose means
After a collision your insurer may hand you a list of shops or say a particular shop can start quickly. According to the California Department of Insurance, those are suggestions: who repairs your vehicle is your decision. The same point appears in the Department's Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights.
You can also ask the shop you prefer to write its own estimate of the damage it finds and use that estimate in your conversation with the insurer.
Sources: California Department of Insurance: Had an auto accident? Claims guide; California Department of Insurance: Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights (PDF).
What it does not settle
Shop choice is separate from the claim decisions that follow. Whether a repair is covered, your deductible, how the insurer values the repair, and which parts or procedures it will pay for all depend on your policy and the facts of the loss. A shop and an adjuster can document different damage or price the same repair differently. That is usually worked out through documentation, a revised estimate, or the insurer's dispute process, not by the choice of shop alone.
If you are not at fault, the other driver's insurer may be handling the claim instead of yours. Who pays, and in what order, is a claims question that your policy and the facts decide.
Source: California Department of Insurance: Had an auto accident? Claims guide.
Ask for a written, itemized estimate
The Department of Insurance's Bill of Rights and the Bureau of Automotive Repair both point to written estimates, so you know what is being repaired or replaced before you agree. The Bureau's "Write It Right" guidance also covers authorization: the shop needs your approval before doing work or charging beyond the estimate you authorized.
Sources: California Department of Insurance: Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights (PDF); California Bureau of Automotive Repair: Write It Right.
Questions to ask your adjuster
- Can the shop I have chosen send you its estimate directly, and in what format?
- Who reviews a difference between your estimate and the shop's, and how will I hear about the result?
- If you are recommending a shop, what would change if I use a different one?
- What is my deductible, and when is it paid?
- If the shop finds more damage once the vehicle is taken apart, how do I report it to you?
- Does my policy include rental reimbursement, and what are the limits?
Frequently asked questions
Can my insurance company make me use its shop?
According to the California Department of Insurance, the choice of repair shop is yours, though an insurer may suggest shops. If you are told otherwise, ask for it in writing and see the Department's guide for how to reach its consumer services.
Will the insurer pay whatever my chosen shop charges?
Not automatically. Payment depends on your policy, the documented damage and the insurer's review. A written, itemized estimate gives both sides something specific to compare.
Sources
Public sources used for this guide. Check them for the current wording, because rules and guidance can change.
Next steps
Capital Collision Center is a Van Nuys collision repair shop. If you have a vehicle to look at, request an estimate online or call (818) 472-9222 and our team will follow up. Read more about insurance claim assistance, or browse all post-accident guides.
General information, not legal advice. Coverage and claim outcomes depend on policy terms and individual facts.