How to get my insurance to pay the body shop I prefer to use?
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I recently just bought a new car 2019 model and was hit from the behind by an uninsured driver. I took my car to a reliable body shop in my city that was not a part of my insurance auto shops. It has been 21 days to date and now my insurance is just now getting back to me saying that they do not want to pay the full amount that the Bodyshop is charging. They explained that there hourly charges are more then what they want to pay for. They only want to pay 20 dollars an hour while the shop of my choice charges 40 dollars an hour. I’ve been instructed to either go to one of there auto shops or pay for the remaining amount myself. I thought legally I am able to take my car to a bodyshop om my choice. At this point I’m at a loss of what to do next. I would really like to use the shop that I have chosen because I know they are really reliable and have a great reputation in my city for doing great and fair work.”
Asked August 20, 2018
1 Answer
According to Texas law, consumers have the right to select their own repair shop. Most insurance companies have a list of preferred repair shops but cannot legally require you to use them. The insurance company will only pay for accident-related repairs only up to the amount the depreciated car is worth.
In the event of a disagreement between the consumer and the insurance company about the amount of damages owed to be covered the policyholder can demand an appraisal. In that event, the insurance company will hire an appraiser, you will also hire a separate appraiser, and finally, a third appraiser will be hired. The three independent appraisals of the damage will be compared and the third appraisal will make the ultimate decision on the dollar amount of damages owed. The downside of the appraisal process is that the consumer must pay for an appraiser's services and half of the third appraiser's fee.
Answered August 21, 2018 by CarInsuranceCowboy