It's your truck. It's your claim. In Texas, it's the law.
You hit a deer on FM 1585. Someone backed into you in a parking lot by the Tech campus. Hail just beat up everything in your driveway. You call your insurance company, and before you're done describing the damage, the adjuster says:
"We'll send you to one of our preferred shops."
Stop right there.
That's a suggestion. It isn't a requirement, and Texas law has been clear about this for almost twenty years.
What the Law Actually Says
This comes straight from the Texas Insurance Code, Section 1952.301. It says an insurer may not "directly or indirectly limit" your coverage by "limiting the beneficiary of the policy from selecting a repair person or facility to repair damage to the vehicle."
Put simply, you pick the shop.
The code goes further. Under Section 1952.302, your insurer can't:
- Tell you, out loud or in writing, that you must use a specific shop or one from their preferred list.
- Make you drive an unreasonable distance to get your vehicle repaired.
And if you're filing against someone else's insurance because they hit you, the same protection applies. Their insurer can't require you to use a particular shop either.
So Why Do They Push So Hard?
Because steering works. Most people don't know their rights, and they're stressed, shaken up and just want their vehicle back. When an adjuster sounds sure of themselves, people go along with it.
These are the lines you're most likely to hear:
- "If you go somewhere else, we can't guarantee the repair."
- "Our shop will be faster."
- "You might end up paying the difference."
- "It's just easier if you use our network."
None of these changes your rights. Texas law says a shop arrangement between an insurer and a repair facility can't reduce your coverage, and communications that imply you'll pay extra for picking your own shop can conflict with the Insurance Code.
Heads up: if an adjuster ever tells you that you have to use their shop, that's a red flag. Write down who said it and when.
Whose Side Is the Shop On?
Think about who's paying the bill and who's steering you.
Your insurance company is a business, and every claim is a cost to them. That doesn't make every adjuster a bad guy. It just means their priority and yours don't always line up.
Your priority is simple: your vehicle fixed right, back to pre-accident condition, safe to put your kids in.
That's our priority too. At Hub City Body Shop we work for you. We work with your insurance company, and we handle the claim from first call to final invoice, but it's your vehicle and your name on the work order.
What You Get When You Choose Hub City
For 20 years, the Seay family has been fixing West Texas vehicles the right way, from our shop on Spur 327 at Milwaukee Avenue.
- I-CAR Gold Class certified. That's the industry's highest training recognition.
- A crew with decades on the bench. Our technicians average roughly two decades of experience each, and three generations of the Seay family work in the shop.
- Full repair under one roof. Structure, frame, paint, glass, bumpers, alignment and ADAS safety system calibration.
- We deal with the insurance company. Direct billing, claim handling and rental car coordination.
- Free estimates, including from your phone. Send photos and get started without coming in.
- BBB A+ rated.
- Financing through Snap Finance for when the deductible hits at the wrong time.
And the money you spend here stays here. It goes back into Lubbock, not to a corporate office in another state.
What to Do After an Accident
- Get safe and document everything. Take photos of the damage, the scene and the other driver's insurance info.
- Call your insurance and file the claim. You're required to report it.
- When they suggest a shop, tell them: "I'll be using Hub City Body Shop." That's the whole conversation.
- Call us. We'll take it from there with your adjuster.
You don't need their permission and you don't owe anyone an explanation.
The Bottom Line
Your insurance company can recommend a shop. They can't require one, and they can't threaten your coverage because you picked someone else.
It's your vehicle and your choice. Choose the shop that works for you.
📍 Hub City Body Shop, 5828 Texas 327 Spur, Lubbock, TX 79424 🕗 Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat by appointment
This article is for general information and isn't legal advice. If you think your insurer is violating your rights, you can contact the Texas Department of Insurance.