Frequently Asked Questions About Car Repairs

Having your car repaired after an accident can get complicated if an insurance company is trying to pressure you to use a specific body shop or if they won’t accept your repair shop’s estimate. The insurance company may try to make you believe that you have to use their repair shop or that you need multiple estimates – but neither of these things is true.

If you have questions about your car accident repair rights, contact The Law Offices of Michael Gopin, PLLC today to learn more. We offer a free, no-risk consultation to all of our prospective clients.

You Are Allowed To Choose the Repair Shop

Contrary to what the insurance company may say, under Texas auto insurance repair laws, you are allowed to choose the facility where your car is repaired. Insurance companies are for-profit entities. They are always trying to minimize the amount they must pay you after an accident, even when you’ve diligently paid for coverage over the years.

As a result, the insurance company may try to recommend a shop with which they have a relationship. The danger is that the shop may cut corners or install cheap parts in an effort to keep costs low for the insurance company. In exchange, the insurance company ensures that the body shop has a steady flow of business.

The insurance company might push you to take their recommendation, but it is important to know that you do not have to do this. You can choose to have your vehicle towed to and repaired at any shop. Additionally, if the insurance company does try to direct you toward a particular body shop, they may be required to disclose if they have a relationship with the shop.

When getting your vehicle repaired, the most important thing is to choose a shop that you trust, one that does quality work and will properly repair your vehicle without cutting costs.

Insurance For Car Repairs

There are several types of auto insurance that can be used to pay for car repairs. Some of the typical types are:

Property damage liability – If you were involved in an accident that was caused by someone else, you could make a claim against that person’s liability insurance to pay for vehicle repairs.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage – If you were hit by a driver without insurance or one whose insurance is not enough to cover the costs of repairs, you could turn to uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if you purchased it. This type of insurance covers you if you cannot make a claim against the at-fault driver or if the at-fault driver’s coverage is insufficient to cover the damages.
Collision coverage – Collision insurance is usually purchased as an add-on to your regular liability insurance. You can use collision coverage to pay for vehicle repairs regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

What If The Repair Shop’s Estimate is Higher than the Insurance Company’s

It’s possible, even likely, that the insurance company’s estimate for your car repairs will be lower than your repair shop’s estimate. If the insurance company refuses to accept the other estimate, there are several ways you can overcome their objections, such as:

Convincing the insurance company to raise their estimate amount
Asking the insurance company to cover the extra cost
Paying for the difference between their estimate and the repair shop’s yourself
Engaging an attorney to advocate on your behalf

Contact An El Paso Car Accident Attorney Today

If you are trying to have your car repaired after an accident and the insurance company is making it difficult, contact a seasoned car accident attorney at The Law Offices of Michael Gopin, PLLC to discuss your case and learn more about your rights. We offer free consultations, so there’s no risk to you.

Michael J. Gopin

Michael J. Gopin has practiced law in El Paso since 1987. Even after more than 30 years, he still remembers his first jury case. It was two weeks after receiving his license, when he represented a person whose life had been forever changed after being blinded in a work-related incident...