Do I Have to Use the Body Shop My Insurance Recommends? Your Rights in California Explained

After an accident, one of the first calls you’ll make is to your insurance company. They may try to steer you toward a “preferred” repair shop—but you’re not required to use it.

In California, you have the legal right to choose your own collision repair center. That means you can prioritize quality, certification, and trust—especially when it comes to premium vehicles like BMW, Porsche, or Honda.

Your Right to Choose: What California Law Says

California law prohibits insurance companies from requiring you to use a specific body shop. This is known as “steering,” and it’s illegal.

You have the right to:

• Choose any licensed repair facility

• Get multiple repair estimates

• Approve or deny additional repairs

• Be informed of any non-OEM parts used

Why Insurance Companies Recommend Certain Shops

Insurance companies often recommend shops in their Direct Repair Program (DRP) because they’ve negotiated discounted labor rates or parts pricing. While that’s good for the insurance company, it doesn’t always mean the highest quality repair for your car.

Some DRP shops:

• Use aftermarket or salvage parts

• Focus on speed over precision

• Lack certification from manufacturers like BMW, Porsche, or Honda

Why Spectrum Collision Is Worth Choosing

At Spectrum Collision in Irvine, CA, we are not bound by insurance contracts—we work for you, not the insurance company.

We’re:

• BMW Certified

• Porsche Approved

• Honda Certified

• Staffed by I-CAR Gold Class technicians

• Equipped with OEM parts and factory-approved tools

We’ll work directly with your insurance provider to streamline the claims process while ensuring your car is repaired to manufacturer standards, not insurance shortcuts.

FAQs

Q: Will my insurance cover repairs if I don’t use their shop?

Yes. As long as you use a licensed repair facility (like Spectrum Collision), your insurance must honor the coverage.

Q: What if their shop gives a cheaper estimate?

Cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Lower estimates often mean lower-quality parts or shortcuts in repair. We match quality to value—and back it with a warranty.

Q: Can you work with my insurance company directly?

Absolutely. We handle communication, paperwork, and approvals so you don’t have to.

Trust Your Repair to the Experts in Irvine

Don’t let your insurer decide where your vehicle is repaired. At Spectrum Collision, we make sure every detail meets the standards your BMW, Porsche, or Honda was built with.

Visit Spectrum Collision to get started.