For drivers: your repair, your choice
If your vehicle has been damaged in an accident, you are probably dealing with an insurance claim, an unfamiliar process, and a lot of advice from different directions. The most important thing to know comes first: in New York, you have the right to choose the shop that repairs your vehicle. Your insurance company can suggest shops, but it cannot require you to use one.
Your rights in general terms
- You may have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice.
- You are not required to collect multiple estimates before repairs can be authorized.
- Your insurance company is expected to negotiate your claim in good faith and settle it fairly and promptly.
- You are entitled to a repair that returns your vehicle to its pre-accident condition, and to documentation of the work performed.
These points are a general summary, not a recitation of the law. Rules and procedures change, so for questions about a specific claim, consult your policy, the New York State Department of Financial Services, or an attorney.
How to choose a collision repair shop
- Look for training and equipment. Ask whether technicians are trained on your vehicle make and whether the shop follows manufacturer repair procedures.
- Ask about the estimate. A professional shop will walk you through what is being repaired, what is being replaced, and why. Our guide on reading a repair estimate explains the parts of an estimate in plain language.
- Ask about parts. Understand whether new original-equipment, aftermarket, or recycled parts are being used, and where you have a say.
- Check reputation. Reviews, word of mouth, and how the shop answers your questions all tell you something about how it treats customers.
- Get it in writing. Keep copies of the estimate, the authorization you sign, and the final invoice.
Right after a crash
The steps you take at the scene and in the first days afterward affect both your safety and your claim. We keep a separate step-by-step guide: what to do after an accident.