After an accident, your insurance company may give you the name of a preferred repair facility or a list of shops it regularly works with. That can be convenient, but Texas drivers are not required to choose a shop simply because it appears on an insurer’s list.
Under Texas law, you have the right to select the repair facility for your vehicle. An insurer may recommend a shop, but it may not tell you that you must use a specific repair facility for the damage to be covered. The insurer also is not required to pay more than a reasonable amount for covered repairs and parts, so repair-shop choice and insurance payment are related but separate issues.
If your vehicle was damaged in Lewisville, understanding these rights can make it easier to compare repair options and choose a collision repair shop in Lewisville you are comfortable working with.
Can Your Insurance Company Recommend a Body Shop?
Yes. Insurance companies may provide a list of preferred or network repair facilities. These arrangements are often designed to simplify estimates, communication, and claims handling.
But a recommendation is not the same thing as a requirement. The Texas Department of Insurance states that you can take your vehicle to any repair shop you choose, even if your insurer gives you a preferred-shop list.
If you decide to use a shop that is not on the insurer’s list, the repair facility can still work with the insurance company on estimates, supplements, repair documentation, and other claim-related details. Lone Star Paint & Body provides insurance claim assistance for customers handling collision repairs.
What Texas Law Says About Repair-Shop Choice
Texas Insurance Code §1952.301 and related sections protect a vehicle owner’s ability to choose a repair facility. Among other things, an insurer may not state or suggest that you must use a particular repair person, repair facility, or preferred-list shop in order for covered damage to be repaired under the policy.
Texas also requires insurers to provide notice about your repair rights when a motor-vehicle repair claim is submitted. The notice explains that you have the right to select where your vehicle is repaired and the parts used for the repair. At the same time, the insurer is not required to pay more than a reasonable amount for repairs and parts.
That last point is important. Choosing your own shop does not mean every proposed repair cost or part will automatically be paid in full. Coverage, policy terms, reasonable repair costs, deductibles, and claim-specific decisions still apply.
For a broader explanation of repair-shop choice, estimates, towing, supplements, and the collision repair process, see our Lewisville Collision Repair & Insurance Guide.
What Is a Preferred or Network Repair Shop?
Many insurers maintain relationships with repair facilities that participate in direct repair or preferred-shop programs. These shops may have established procedures for estimates, electronic communication, documentation, and claim administration with the insurer.
There is nothing inherently wrong with choosing a network shop. Many perform high-quality repairs. The important point is that a preferred-shop designation should be only one factor in your decision, not the only one.
Whether a shop is independent, dealership-affiliated, part of a national chain, or in an insurer network, you should still evaluate its training, repair capabilities, communication, warranty, reviews, and experience with your type of vehicle and damage.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Collision Repair Shop
Instead of choosing a repair facility based only on who recommends it, ask questions that help you understand how the vehicle will actually be repaired.
- What training or industry certifications does the shop maintain?
- How does the shop identify and document hidden damage?
- Does the facility handle structural, body, bumper, and paint repairs?
- How are additional repairs or supplements handled if more damage is found?
- How will you receive updates during the repair?
- What warranty applies to the completed work?
- Can the shop explain the repair plan and parts choices clearly?
If you are comparing local shops with larger chains, our article Local vs. National Collision Repair Shops in Lewisville covers additional factors worth considering.
Training and Repair Capabilities Matter
Modern collision repair can involve much more than replacing a dented panel and matching paint. Depending on the vehicle and impact, the repair may involve structural measurements, aluminum or high-strength steel, diagnostic scanning, cameras, sensors, and driver-assistance systems.
Lone Star Paint & Body is an I-CAR Gold Class collision repair facility. That designation reflects ongoing collision-repair training requirements and helps demonstrate a commitment to current repair knowledge. You can learn more in our article about why collision repair certification matters.
For accident damage that may involve structural concerns, Lone Star also provides frame and structural repair as part of the overall repair process when needed.
What Happens When the Shop Finds Additional Damage?
Insurance estimates are often based on the damage that can be seen initially. Once damaged parts are removed, additional collision damage may be discovered behind bumpers, panels, trim, or other components.
When that happens, the repair shop may prepare a supplement documenting the additional repair operations, parts, or labor it believes are necessary. The insurer then reviews the supplement under the claim and policy.
This is one reason choosing a shop with clear repair documentation and insurance communication can be helpful. Our article on hidden damage after an accident explains why the final repair plan may change after a closer inspection or disassembly.
What If the Shop’s Estimate Is Higher Than the Insurance Estimate?
A difference between a shop estimate and an insurer estimate does not necessarily mean either one is wrong. The estimates may have been written at different stages of the repair or may include different assumptions about labor, parts, procedures, or damage that was not visible initially.
The repair shop can provide additional documentation or a supplement for the insurer to review. The insurer determines what it will pay under the policy and applicable claim rules, while the shop is responsible for explaining what it believes is needed to complete the repair.
If you have questions about your policy, coverage, or claim payment, ask the insurer for an explanation. The Texas Department of Insurance can also provide information about consumer rights and accepts complaints involving insurers it regulates.
Can an Insurance Company Require Certain Parts?
Texas gives consumers rights regarding repair-shop and parts selection, but insurance-payment rules still matter. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, insurers are not required to pay more than a reasonable amount, and an auto policy may address the type or cost of replacement parts covered by the claim.
That is why parts questions should be discussed specifically with both the repair shop and insurer. Ask what parts are proposed, why they are being used, what the policy covers, and whether there would be any customer-paid difference for a different option.
Signs of a Good Repair-Shop Selection Process
A good repair decision should leave you feeling informed rather than pressured. Before authorizing repairs, you should understand who is repairing the vehicle, what the shop has found so far, what the next steps are, and how insurance-related changes will be handled.
- The shop clearly explains the visible damage and repair plan.
- You receive information about warranties and repair procedures.
- The shop discusses additional damage if it is discovered.
- Insurance estimates and supplements are explained rather than treated as a mystery.
- You know who to contact with questions during the repair.
Customer reviews can also provide useful insight into communication and the overall repair experience. You can read reviews for Lone Star Paint & Body before deciding where to have your vehicle repaired.
You Can Choose Your Collision Repair Shop in Texas
The key point for Texas drivers is straightforward: your insurer may recommend a repair facility, but you can choose where your vehicle is repaired. Your policy, deductible, reasonable repair costs, and coverage still determine how the claim is paid, so shop choice does not eliminate the need to work with the insurer.
If you have been in an accident in Lewisville, Lone Star Paint & Body provides collision repair in Lewisville, TX and can work with you on the repair process while providing insurance-related repair documentation and claim assistance.
You can request a free online estimate, request an appointment, or contact Lone Star Paint & Body to discuss the next step.
Important Note
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. Insurance coverage, policy language, claim handling, repair costs, and parts decisions vary by policy and situation. Review your policy and contact your insurer, the Texas Department of Insurance, or another qualified professional if you have questions about your specific rights or claim.