You Choose the Body Shop, Not Your Insurer
In New Jersey you decide where your car is repaired. How direct repair programs work, how a claim works with your own shop and what to ask.
After an accident, many drivers assume they have to go to the shop their insurance company suggests. In New Jersey, that is not the case. Here is how it works and what to watch for.
Your car, your choice
New Jersey law lets you choose where your car is repaired. Your insurer can recommend a shop from its network, often called a direct repair program, but it cannot require you to use it. You can bring your car to any licensed body shop you trust.
What a direct repair program is
Insurers have agreements with certain shops to speed up claims. That can be convenient, but the shop also has an agreement with the insurer that pays the bill. An independent shop works for you: it writes the estimate based on what your car needs and talks to the adjuster on your behalf.
How the claim works with your own shop
- Report the accident to your insurer and tell them where you want the car repaired.
- We write a detailed estimate with photos and send it to the adjuster, or meet the adjuster at our shop.
- Once the repair is approved, we start. If we find hidden damage after taking parts off, we send a supplement to the insurer.
- Your insurer pays its part directly to the shop. You pay only your deductible, if one applies.
Questions to ask any body shop
- Do you write estimates for OEM (original manufacturer) parts?
- Do you handle supplements and talk to the adjuster for me?
- Is there a warranty on the work, and for how long?
- Will my car’s safety systems be checked and calibrated after the repair?
- How will you keep me updated?
We do the paperwork
Main St Auto Body has worked with every insurance company since 1997. Bring us your claim number and we take it from there. Read more on our insurance claims page.