Can I Use Any Body Shop With My Insurance in Texas?

Yes. Under Title 28, Section 5.501 of the Texas Administrative Code, you have the right to choose any collision repair shop for your vehicle, regardless of which shop your insurance company recommends. Your insurer can suggest a preferred shop. They cannot require you to use one.

If you've just been in an accident and your insurance adjuster is steering you toward a "preferred" or "direct repair program" (DRP) shop, this article will walk you through exactly what the law says, what common steering tactics look like, how to respond, and why independent shops sometimes advocate harder for you than DRP shops do.

Texas Auto Center is independent. We work with every major insurance carrier in Texas but aren't on any carrier's preferred vendor list. That means when it comes time to write a supplement or push back on a lowball estimate, we work for you, not the carrier's cost caps. See how our insurance claim process works.

Call (713) 667-1100 before you sign anything the other driver's insurance asks you to sign. First call is free, no obligation.

Key Takeaways
- Texas law (Title 28 Section 5.501 of the Administrative Code) gives you the right to choose your own collision repair shop. Insurance steering is prohibited.
- Your insurer must notify you in writing that you have this right and cannot specify the brand, type, age, vendor, supplier, or condition of parts used to repair your vehicle.
- Common steering tactics("we can't guarantee repairs elsewhere," "your deductible will be higher," "our shop is faster") are misleading. None of them override your legal right to choose.
- Your carrier has statutory deadlines: 15 calendar days to acknowledge the claim, 15 business days to approve/deny after receiving complete info, and 5 business days to pay after approval.
- Independent shops (not on DRP agreements) often fight harder for supplements and stick closer to OEM procedures because they aren't bound by carrier pricing caps.

The Law, in Plain English

Title 28, Section 5.501 of the Texas Administrative Code governs what auto insurance companies can and can't do when handling collision repair claims. The key provisions:

Your insurance company must notify you in writing that you have the right to select the establishment that repairs your vehicle and the parts used to repair it. This notice is usually in your policy paperwork or included with the claim acknowledgment.

Your insurance company cannot specify the brand, type, kind, age, vendor, supplier, or condition of parts or products used to repair your automobile.

What the insurance company CAN do:
- Suggest preferred / DRP shops (that's allowed; they just can't force you)
- Pay only a "reasonable" amount for parts and repairs (so extreme outlier pricing may not be fully covered)
- Inspect your vehicle at the shop you chose
- Require documentation (photos, OEM procedure citations) supporting any additional charges (supplements)

What the insurance company CANNOT do:
- Refuse to process your claim because you chose an independent shop
- Void your coverage or warranty because you exercised your right to choose
- Pressure you into using a specific shop as a condition of processing the claim
- Delay your claim past the statutory deadlines (more on those below) without written notice

The Texas Department of Insurance has consumer-facing guidance that reinforces these protections and provides a complaint process if an insurer violates them.

What "DRP" Actually Means

DRP stands for Direct Repair Program. It's a contractual agreement between an insurance carrier and a specific body shop. The shop agrees to certain pricing and procedural terms in exchange for the carrier sending customers their way.

DRP relationships aren't inherently bad. Some DRP shops do excellent work. But there's a structural tension worth understanding: the shop's primary business relationship is with the insurance carrier, not the customer. The pricing agreement can pressure the shop to skip or skimp on line items the carrier doesn't want to pay for.

Common Steering Tactics (and How to Respond)

"We can't guarantee repairs at an unapproved shop."

Not accurate. Your insurance doesn't warranty repairs at any shop. Warranties come from the shop itself. Texas Auto Center offers a lifetime paint warranty regardless of which carrier is paying for the work.

"Your deductible will be higher at that shop."

Not accurate. Your deductible is set by your policy, not by the shop. It's the same dollar amount whether you go to a DRP shop or an independent one.

"Our preferred shop is faster because we have a pricing agreement."

Sometimes true, sometimes not. DRP shops may run tighter turnaround schedules, but that speed often comes from skipping steps rather than actual efficiency.

Texas Claim Timelines

Under Texas law, your insurance company has specific deadlines to meet:

15 calendar days: Insurer acknowledges your claim and requests any missing info
15 business days after receiving all requested info: Insurer approves or denies your claim in writing
5 business days after approval: Insurer pays the claim

If your carrier misses these deadlines without written notice, that's a formal violation. You can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my insurance company refuse to pay if I go to a shop they don't like?

No. Texas law prohibits carriers from penalizing you for exercising your right to choose. They're still required to pay a reasonable amount for repairs.

Do I have to get multiple estimates?

No, you're not required to. Some insurers ask for two or three estimates, but that's a request, not a legal requirement.

Will my premium go up if I choose a non-preferred shop?

Your choice of shop doesn't affect your premium. The claim itself (and any prior claims history) affects your premium.

Get a Second Opinion Before You Sign Anything

If you're in the middle of a claim and feeling pressured to use a specific shop, pause. Call us. We'll review the situation, tell you honestly whether your insurer's position is reasonable, and walk you through your options. First call is free, no obligation.

Call (713) 667-1100 or request an estimate online. Or drop by 5609 Bellaire Blvd #B during business hours.

Serving Southwest Houston since 2011. I-CAR, ASE, and RepairPal certified. Factory-certified for Nissan, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, and FCA/Mopar. Lifetime paint warranty. We work with every major insurance carrier in Texas.

You picked the shop. We handle the rest.