Your right to choose a body shop in California

“Your insurer will send you to one of our partner shops.” You may hear something like that on the first call after a crash. Partner shops can be fine. But in California, the final choice is yours.

What the law says

California Insurance Code §758.5 says that no insurer shall require that a car be repaired at a specific automotive repair dealer. It also says an insurer may only suggest or recommend a specific shop if you expressly asked for a referral, or if you’ve been told in writing that you have the right to choose the shop. An insurer can still give you truthful information about the services and benefits available during the claim. Read the full text of §758.5.

This is general information, not legal advice. If you think an insurer isn’t treating your claim fairly, the California Department of Insurance handles consumer complaints about insurers.

What a “DRP” or preferred shop is

Many insurers have direct repair programs (DRPs): agreements with selected shops on things like pricing, paperwork and turnaround. Using a DRP shop can mean less back-and-forth — the shop may write the estimate and handle approvals directly, and some insurers offer extras such as their own guarantee on the repair. Using an independent shop of your choice can mean a shop you already trust, or one certified for your make. Neither is automatically better. Ask each shop how it works with your insurer.

In our directory, 41 shops list help with insurance claims as a service and 42 shops mention rental car assistance (as of October 28, 2026). We only name an insurer if the shop names it.

How choosing your own shop usually works

1. Report the claim to your insurer and tell them which shop you want to use.
2. The shop inspects the car and writes its estimate; the insurer’s appraiser may inspect too, in person or from photos.
3. If the shop finds more damage once it starts, it sends a supplement to the insurer for approval.
4. Your policy decides what the insurer pays and what your deductible is. Ask your insurer up front how payment works with the shop you’ve chosen, and what happens if the shop’s price and the insurer’s estimate differ.

Questions worth asking

• To your insurer: Can I use any licensed shop? How will you pay it? Is there anything my policy says about parts types or rental coverage?
• To the shop: Have you worked with my insurer before? Will you handle supplements with them? What warranty do you give, separate from any insurer guarantee?

How to choose a body shop after an accident · Shops that help with claims