You are not required to use the repair shop your insurer suggests. California regulation protects your right to pick your own body shop for an insurance claim. At Royal Collision, we recommend putting your choice in writing and keeping a record if an adjuster pressures you to switch.
Key Takeaways
- Your choice is protected: 10 CCR §2695.8(e) bars insurers from requiring a specific shop once you’ve chosen yours, unless the requirements of California Insurance Code section 758.5 are met.
- Steering has a legal definition: It covers pressure or misleading statements, not a simple recommendation on its own.
- Complaints go to the state: The California Department of Insurance handles reports tied to auto insurance claim repair disputes.
What Is Insurance Steering?
Insurance steering happens when an insurer pressures or misleads you into using a specific repair shop instead of the one you want. This matters most in the early stage of an insurance claim, for your body shop decision, right after you’ve named which shop you’re using. A recommendation alone isn’t steering. It becomes steering when the insurer keeps pushing after you’ve already stated your choice, or when the reasoning given isn’t accurate. Common examples include:
- Claims that a non-network shop “can’t be trusted” with your auto insurance claim for repair
- Warnings that a chosen shop will slow down your body shop insurance claim, without evidence
- Suggestions that repairs won’t be covered unless you switch shops
How Should You Respond to Steering?
- State your shop choice in writing. Email or message your insurer once you’ve decided.
- Ask for the specific policy language behind any pushback you receive.
- Keep a record of calls, messages, and dates.
- Contact the California Department of Insurance if the pressure continues after you’ve made your choice clear.
Industry reports say that consumers should have access to safe, proper repairs and the repair information needed to support that outcome, including a choice of where their vehicle is repaired and which parts are used.
What Does California Law Say About Your Right to Choose?
California Insurance Code Section 758.5 gives drivers the right to select their own shop after an accident. The table below compares common statements to what the regulation actually requires.
| What You May Hear | What California Regulation Requires |
| “You have to use our recommended shop.” | California law says the insurer cannot require repairs at a specific shop, and once you choose a shop, the insurer generally cannot steer you to a different one unless the conditions in Insurance Code § 758.5 are met |
| “Only network shops carry a warranty.” | Repair warranties come from the shop that performs the work, not the insurer. |
| “Non-network claims take longer.” | Insurers must process claims in good faith regardless of which licensed shop prepares the estimate. |
Source: California Insurance Code § 758.5 and the California Department of Insurance’s Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights
How Does Royal Collision Help With Insurance Steering?
We work for you, not the insurance company. Ryan Oeftering, our owner, leads Royal Collision with a commitment to OEM-spec repairs, including OEM parts, when a claim doesn’t reflect what your vehicle needs. Once you file a claim, we communicate directly with the insurer on your behalf, and every repair carries our Limited Lifetime Warranty. That’s how we handle collision repair in Riverside, CA, that you can count on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my insurer deny my claim if I don’t use their recommended shop?
No, but they can still dispute specific costs on the estimate, no matter which shop you choose. Your claim itself isn’t tied to your shop choice.
Does choosing my own shop cost more out of pocket?
It depends on how the insurer’s payout compares to the shop’s labor rate. This is exactly why we negotiate directly with insurers on the customer’s behalf.
Can I switch repair shops if I’ve already agreed to use my insurer’s recommendation?
Yes. You can change your shop at any point before repairs begin, even if you initially agreed to a different one.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Steering?
Trust your instincts if something feels off during your claim for collision repair insurance. Write down what was said, save messages, and don’t let a deadline pressure you into a shop you didn’t choose. If you’d like a second opinion on your estimate before deciding, contact Royal Collision at (951) 276-4421 or ryan@royalcollisionriverside.com. We’re glad to review your options and help you move forward with confidence.