It is a stressful moment. You have just been in an accident, you call your insurance company, and the adjuster says something like, "We will get you set up at one of our shops." It can sound like an instruction, almost like a requirement. Here is the simple, reassuring truth: it is not. In California, your insurer cannot force you to repair your car at a specific shop. The choice belongs to you.

The short answer: no, they cannot require it

Let us start with the law, because it is clearer than most people expect. Under California Insurance Code Section 758.5, no insurer may require that your vehicle be repaired at a specific automotive repair dealer. The statute also limits when an insurer may even suggest a particular shop: it can only do so if you ask for a referral, or if it has informed you in writing of your right to pick your own shop. Once you have chosen a shop, the insurer is not supposed to keep nudging you toward a different one.

The state's consumer guidance says the same thing in plain language. The California Department of Insurance publishes an Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights, and the very first item states that a consumer is entitled to select the auto body repair shop, and that an insurance company shall not require the repairs to be done at a specific shop. The national Insurance Information Institute confirms the principle as well: consumers have the right to use the shop of their choice and are not required to use a direct repair program.

What a direct repair program (DRP) actually is

To understand the gentle pressure many drivers feel, it helps to understand the system behind it. A direct repair program, or DRP, is a network of body shops that have an agreement with an insurer. As the Insurance Information Institute explains, a DRP is a network of auto repair shops and dealerships approved by an insurer, and many insurers offer one so customers have easy access to a recommended shop.

In exchange for a steady flow of referred work, a DRP shop typically agrees to the insurer's terms on pricing, repair methods, parts choices, and turnaround. There are real conveniences to this arrangement. The insurer often coordinates the paperwork directly, the car can be inspected and scheduled quickly, and the workmanship usually carries a guarantee for as long as you own the vehicle.

Why insurers prefer their network shops

It is not a conspiracy, and it is not personal. Insurers prefer DRP shops because the arrangement helps them control costs and keep the process predictable. Agreed pricing, standardized part choices, and faster cycle times all reduce what a claim costs the company. The Insurance Information Institute frames it plainly: DRPs help insurers provide repairs at a reasonable cost. That is a legitimate business goal, and it can genuinely work in your favor when speed is your top priority.

Where your interests and the insurer's interests can differ

Most of the time, the goals line up: everyone wants your car safely back on the road. But the interests are not identical. The insurer is working to settle the claim efficiently and economically. You are working to have your specific car restored to its pre-loss condition, with parts and procedures that protect its safety systems, structure, and value over the years you will own it.

That gap is usually small, and it is widest on modern vehicles loaded with sensors and driver-assist hardware. On many of today's cars, a bumper or windshield is part of a calibrated safety system, not just a cosmetic panel. A repair that is technically acceptable on paper may still need careful procedures, the right parts, and an in-house calibration to perform exactly as the factory intended. A shop that answers to you, rather than to a network agreement, has more room to advocate for those steps.

The right to choose your shop is not a loophole. It is written plainly into California law, and it exists to protect you.

What insurers can and cannot do after a claim

Knowing the boundaries makes the whole conversation less intimidating. Here is a side-by-side look, based on California law and state consumer guidance.

That last point is worth repeating. Under the same anti-steering statute, if you choose your own shop, the insurer cannot discount the reasonable repair cost down to what its network shop would have charged. And the Consumer Bill of Rights confirms you may seek an independent estimate directly from a registered shop, even while you are pursuing an insurance claim.

Why calling a shop first can make the whole claim easier

Because the choice is yours, the question becomes practical: when is the best time to use it? The answer is early, ideally before the claim is fully set in motion. When you call a shop you trust first, that shop can document the damage properly from the start, photograph everything, and speak the adjuster's language on your behalf.

A capable shop will work directly with your insurer's appraiser, write a thorough estimate, and handle supplements when hidden damage turns up after teardown. You stay informed, but you are not the one chasing approvals or translating repair jargon. The DRP convenience of "we handle it for you" is real, and a shop you choose can offer that same hands-off experience while keeping your interests at the center.

• Damage is documented correctly before anything is moved or disturbed.
• The estimate reflects what your specific vehicle actually needs, including ADAS calibrations.
• Supplements for hidden damage are handled with the adjuster, not dropped on you.
• You keep your right to genuine factory parts where they matter for safety and value.