Know your
rights.
Body shops and insurers don't always lead with what you're entitled to. Pick your state to see what protections apply where you live — and the protections every American driver has, regardless of state.
Content coming soon
We're still writing the state-specific section for . For now, the federal-level rights below apply to every U.S. driver.
Federal-level rights — every state
These apply regardless of where you live. State law may strengthen them, but cannot generally weaken them.
You choose the shop
Federal law and most states protect your right to choose where your car is repaired. An insurance company can recommend a shop in their direct-repair program (DRP), but they cannot force you to use one. If they steer you, push back.
Protection from steering
"Steering" is when an insurer pressures, discourages, misleads, or coerces you into using a particular shop. The exact anti-steering language varies by state — Arizona's insurance department, for example, has warned insurers against disparaging non-network shops or using subjective comments to direct claimants to preferred shops. A common red flag is "if you don't use a network shop, we won't warranty the work." Choose a shop that provides its own written warranty, so if there's an issue you don't have to involve the claim at all — less hassle, quicker fix.
Parts disclosure rights
States differ significantly on OEM (original equipment manufacturer), aftermarket, recycled, reconditioned, and used-part rules. Some states say the insurer may not specify the brand, type, kind, age, vendor, supplier, or condition of parts — though the insurer doesn't have to pay more than a reasonable amount. Most policies don't guarantee OEM parts; some carriers default to aftermarket or LKQ (like-kind-quality used) parts. You can request OEM parts in writing; whether the insurer pays depends on policy language and state law.
Right to know what the insurer will and won't pay for
Even where you can choose the shop and the parts, the insurer may limit payment to what it considers a "reasonable amount" under the policy or state law. That's where disputes usually arise — over labor rates, repair procedures, OEM parts, scan/calibration operations, storage, or supplements. Ask the insurer in writing what they will and will not cover before work begins.
You can demand a written estimate
Any repair facility must give you a written estimate before work begins. You're also entitled to copies of the insurance company's estimate and any supplements.
Supplements are normal
When hidden damage is found during repair, the shop submits a supplement to the insurer. This is routine — not the shop padding the bill. A reputable shop will photograph and document every supplemental item.
Warranty protection
A vehicle manufacturer generally cannot void your factory warranty simply because you used an independent repair shop or a non-branded part. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you from "tie-in" requirements that try to force you back to the dealer or a specific parts brand.
Right to complain to your state regulator
Every state has an insurance department or consumer-protection agency that takes complaints about unfair claim handling, steering, lowball offers, and bad-faith conduct. Filing a complaint is free and often gets a stuck claim moving — insurers track regulator complaints closely.
Diminished value (DV) may apply
After a not-at-fault collision, your vehicle is typically worth less even after a perfect repair. Most states allow you to make a DV claim against the at-fault driver's carrier. Some states (like Michigan) restrict this; check your state below.
Consumer rights vary by state and change over time. This page is a starting point — not a substitute for an attorney, your state's Department of Insurance, or your specific policy language.