14 Common Auto Insurance Myths You Should Stop Believing

Myth 10: You Have to Use the Repair Shop Your Insurer Recommends

Many drivers assume they are required to use whichever repair shop their insurance company suggests after a claim. In most places, you actually have the right to choose your own repair shop, and your insurer cannot force you to use a specific one. Insurers may recommend a shop within their network for convenience or a guaranteed workmanship warranty, but the final choice of where your car gets repaired is typically yours to make.

The reality: If you have a repair shop you trust, ask your insurer directly whether using it affects your claim process or any workmanship guarantee, since the answer can help you make an informed choice rather than defaulting to the recommended shop out of habit.