Can I Choose My Own Body Shop? What California Law Actually Says

The direct answer: yes. In California, you have the legal right to choose the shop that repairs your vehicle. Your insurance company may recommend shops from its network and may describe the convenience of using one — but once you've told the insurer you've chosen a shop, that decision is yours and it stands.

Where the right comes from

California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices regulations prohibit insurers from requiring that repairs be done at a specific shop. The California Department of Insurance publishes consumer guidance stating plainly that you may have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice, and the Bureau of Automotive Repair — the state agency that licenses repair shops — says the same.

Insurers also may not misrepresent your policy to steer you, and may not tell you your claim won't be honored because of the shop you selected.

What DRP networks are — honestly

A direct repair program (DRP) is a business relationship between an insurer and a set of shops, usually involving agreed pricing and processes. Network shops can be excellent, and the process can be convenient. But the network exists to serve the insurer's operational needs as well as yours — which is exactly why the law leaves the final choice with you. Choose a shop for its work, its communication, and its willingness to document the repair, whether or not it's in a network.

How to state your choice

One sentence: 'I've chosen my repair shop — please work directly with them on the estimate and supplements.' You don't need to justify it. If an adjuster pushes back with anything that sounds like a coverage threat, ask them to put it in writing and contact the California Department of Insurance's consumer hotline; that usually ends the conversation.

Coverage decisions — what the policy pays — always remain with the insurer. Choosing your shop doesn't change your coverage. It changes who's advocating for the repair itself.