What is a “Preferred Repair Shop” or “Network Repair Shop”?
Insurance companies will partner with certain repair shops that agree to negotiate better pricing to improve their bottom line, not yours.
It’s Your Choice.
Following an incident that damages your vehicle, be it by hail or collision/accident, you have the right to choose which auto body or paintless dent repair shop fixes your car. Your insurer, even if they are covering the cost of the repairs, cannot dictate where you go.
Great short video explaining “Insurance Steering”.
Insurance companies could threaten to not offer a lifetime warranty on the repair. The thing is, warranties are offered by repair shops, not insurance companies
“Steering” all the same but by different names.
State Farm calls it their “Select Service Repairs” or “Select Service Shops.” Learn more.
Nationwide calls it “Nationwide On Your Side Auto Repair Network.” Learn more.
GEICO calls it their Auto Repair Express. Learn more.
Progressive has the “Network Shops.” Learn more.
Steering tactics.
* The following are common tactics used by insurance companies to “steer” you to a “preferred shop,” none of which are true.
- We cannot guarantee out-of-network repairs.
- There could be delays in getting an adjuster to estimate your damages but if you use a preferred shop, we will send one immediately.
- You’ll have to pay the difference.
Report steering now!
If you think your insurance company has illegally directed you to a “preferred repair shop”, it is 100% within your rights to file a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department for them to investigate. You have the right to choose the body shop or paintless dent repair shop to repair your vehicle.
You can call 800-552-0071, or file a complaint online.
Oklahoma Anti-Steering Law
You can read the document in its entirety here.
365:15-3-8. (C) Travel. Insurers shall not require a claimant to travel unreasonably either to inspect a replacement motor vehicle, to obtain a repair estimate, or to have the motor vehicle repaired at a specific repair shop.
365:15-3-8. (E) Estimates. If an insurer prepares an estimate of the cost of motor vehicle repairs, such estimate shall be in an amount for which it may be reasonably expected the damage can be satisfactorily repaired. The insurer shall give a copy of the estimate to the claimant and may furnish to the claimant, the names of one or more conveniently located repair shops, if requested by the claimant.
365:15-3-8. (G) When the insurer elects to repair a damaged motor vehicle and designates a specific repair shop for automobile repairs, the insurer shall cause the damaged motor vehicle to be restored to its condition prior to the loss at no additional cost and within a reasonable period of time. The
claimant shall also be furnished an itemized statement of repair at the time of acceptance of the repaired motor vehicle.
* READ ENTIRE PDF DOCUMENT FROM /www.oid.ok.go.
Potential dangers of being steered.
Direct Repair Shops (DRP) will make repairs on your vehicle within the scope and monetary limit dictated by the insurer – not dictated by your vehicle’s needs.
- Inaccurate estimates
Your insurer dictates the scope of the repair work, not the paintless dent repair technician. - Discounted repairs
Technicians have reduced profit margins because of the insurer’s limited scope. - Quantity vs quality
Shops will want to work on your vehicle for as brief of a time as possible due to lower agreed labor costs. - Customer isn’t always first
The “pay-to-play” partnership between repair shops & insurance companies ultimately decreases efficiency in the market and harms the consumer.
