Your Rights

So you've had an accident—now it's time to know your rights and make well informed decisions...

You have the right to have your vehicle repaired at the registered collision repair shop of your choice.

In Massachusetts, you have an absolute right to select the collision repair shop of your choice to make repairs. When your insurer gives you a list of registered repair shops, they will have indicated those shops which have entered into a contract with them that determines how your vehicle will be repaired. Many of these shops have agreed to use imitation replacement parts and make repairs as specified by your insurer. By choosing an insurance preferred shop, you may be giving up your rights in the repair process.

No insurer can force you to take your vehicle to a drive in claims center for inspection or require you to get two or three appraisals.

If you request it, your insurer must inspect the damage to your vehicle at your chosen collision repair shop. Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 26, Section 8G states: "No insurance company or employee, agent or insurance agency or representative thereof shall coerce or use any tactics the purpose of which is to prevent the insured or claimants from seeking damage reports on repairs from their own repair shop rather than utilizing a company appraisal drive-in facility."

You have the right to have your vehicle inspected at the registered collision repair shop of your choice.

Your insurer's appraiser must personally inspect the damage before any repairs begin. The vehicle may be inspected at the location of your choosing. You may find it more convenient to have the insurance appraiser examine your vehicle at the shop you have chosen to make the repairs, where the necessary equipment is available to make an accurate assessment of the damage. Your chosen collision repairer will directly negotiate the proper cost to restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition for you.