After an accident, your insurance company may give you the name of a collision repair shop or a list of facilities they commonly work with.
That can leave drivers wondering: Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?
Oregon drivers have the right to select their own repair facility, and insurer recommendations do not remove that choice.
Why Insurance Companies Recommend Certain Shops
Insurance companies often work regularly with certain repair facilities.
These relationships can make estimating, communication, and claim administration more standardized for the insurer.
A recommendation can be convenient, but convenience is only one factor to consider when choosing who repairs your vehicle.
What Should You Look for in a Collision Repair Shop?
Choose a facility that makes you comfortable with both the quality of the repair and the way the process is handled.
Ask how the shop:
- Documents vehicle damage
- Communicates with insurance adjusters
- Handles additional damage discovered during repairs
- Selects replacement parts
- Matches paint
- Provides repair updates
- Explains workmanship guarantees
- Performs final quality inspections
You should feel comfortable asking questions before authorizing repairs.
Tell Your Insurance Company Which Shop You Want
If you decide to use a particular repair facility, provide that information to your insurer.
The repair shop can then prepare its estimate and, when authorized, communicate with the insurer about repairs, documentation, supplements, and approvals.
Direct communication with insurance adjusters is part of Crown's collision repair process.
Choose Based on Who You Trust With Your Vehicle
Collision repair is about more than making visible damage disappear.
Proper assessment, structural work where needed, parts selection, refinishing, reassembly, and final inspection all contribute to the finished repair.
Choose a shop that will explain what is happening rather than making you feel like you are simply being passed through an insurance process.
Looking for Collision Repair in Portland?
Crown Towing & Collision Repair can help with towing, damage assessment, insurance coordination, and collision repair from one local team.
Call 503.705.7000 to discuss your vehicle or request a collision repair estimate.
