Do I Have To Use My Insurer's Body Shop?
Your insurer can recommend a shop. What Florida law actually says about requiring one — quoted, not paraphrased.
Short answer
No. In Florida you choose the shop that repairs your car. Your insurer can recommend one — and if it goes further and requires a particular shop, Florida law makes the insurer responsible for restoring your vehicle at no extra cost to you.
After a collision, most drivers hear some version of the same line: “you need to take it to one of our approved shops.” It sounds procedural. It usually isn't. Here is what Florida law actually says, quoted rather than paraphrased.
What the law says
The relevant statute is Florida Statute § 626.9743, which governs claim settlement practices for motor vehicle insurance. Two subsections matter to you.
“An insurer that elects to repair a motor vehicle and specifically requires a particular repair shop for vehicle repairs shall cause the damaged vehicle to be restored to its physical condition as to performance and appearance immediately prior to the loss at no additional cost to the insured or third-party claimant other than as stated in the policy.”
In plain English: If your insurer insists on a specific shop, it takes on the obligation for the result. The car has to come back performing and looking as it did before the crash, and you cannot be charged extra to get it there. Steering you somewhere cheaper does not move that risk onto you.
“An insurer may not require the use of replacement parts in the repair of a motor vehicle which are not at least equivalent in kind and quality to the damaged parts prior to the loss in terms of fit, appearance, and performance.”
In plain English: Your insurer cannot force cheaper parts that do not match what came off the car. On a late-model vehicle with calibrated sensors and structural adhesives, 'equivalent in fit, appearance and performance' is a high bar — and it is the basis for asking for OEM parts.
Notice what the statute does notsay. It does not describe an absolute prohibition on an insurer ever naming a shop, which is how this topic is often summarised. What it does is attach consequences: the moment an insurer requires a facility, the outcome becomes the insurer's problem, not yours.
What your insurer can and cannot do
It can
- Recommend shops in its direct repair network
- Write its own estimate of the damage
- Ask to inspect the vehicle before repairs begin
- Limit payment to what your policy actually covers
It cannot
- Require parts that are not equivalent in fit, appearance and performance
- Push the cost of a proper repair onto you after requiring a shop
- Treat a legitimate claim as void because of where you had the work done
Why the shop you pick actually matters
A modern car is not sheet metal any more. Structural repairs involve aluminium, high-strength steel and bonded joints with procedures published by the manufacturer. Driver-assistance cameras and radar need recalibration after a bumper or windshield comes off, or they aim at the wrong place and fail silently.
That is what OEM certification means in practice: the shop has the equipment, the training and the access to the manufacturer's repair procedures. HA Collision Repair is Tesla Approved, Audi Authorized and I-CAR Gold Class, and every collision repair carries a lifetime warranty.
What to do after a crash in Boca Raton
- 01
Decide where the car goes before you call.
The tow conversation moves fast, and the first shop the car lands in tends to be the shop that keeps it.
- 02
Tell your insurer which shop you have chosen.
You do not need permission. Give them the name and address and let the two talk directly.
- 03
Let the shop write its own estimate.
The insurer's first number is an opening estimate written from photos. Hidden damage is normal and is handled through supplements.
- 04
Ask what parts are being used.
If non-OEM parts are proposed on a late-model or certified vehicle, § 626.9743(4) is the reason to push back.
- 05
Get the repair documented.
Ask for the procedures followed and any calibration reports. It matters for your warranty and for resale.
Filing a claim and want a second opinion on the estimate? Call (561) 361-8081 or read how we handle insurance claims.
This article explains Florida law in general terms and is not legal advice. Statute text is quoted from the Florida Senate's published version of § 626.9743; check the current text and your own policy, and consult an attorney about your specific situation.
Claims,
Answered
The questions Boca Raton drivers ask us most once the adjuster has called.
You choose the shop. An insurer can recommend facilities in its direct repair network, but under Fla. Stat. § 626.9743(3) an insurer that requires a particular repair shop must have the vehicle restored to its pre-loss performance and appearance at no additional cost to you. Requiring a shop shifts responsibility for the result onto the insurer.
Yes. Your policy governs what is covered, not where the work is done. The insurer writes its estimate, your shop writes its own, and the two negotiate any supplements directly. Choosing your own facility does not void a legitimate claim.
Not if they fall short of the original. Fla. Stat. § 626.9743(4) says an insurer may not require replacement parts that are not at least equivalent in kind and quality to the damaged parts in terms of fit, appearance and performance. On a late-model vehicle with calibrated sensors and bonded structures, that is a demanding standard.
That is normal and not a problem. A first estimate is usually written from photographs and misses damage that is only visible once panels come off. The shop documents the additional damage and submits a supplement. This is routine — we handle it directly with the carrier.
It should not. You are responsible for your deductible and for anything your policy does not cover, the same as at any other facility. We work with Geico, Allstate, USAA, Travelers, The Hartford, Progressive and Liberty Mutual, and we handle the claim paperwork for you.
Your Car,
Your Choice Of Shop
OEM-certified repairs with a lifetime warranty, and we deal with the adjuster so you don't have to. Get a free estimate today.