Your right to choose · Lubbock, Texas
In Texas, You Choose Your Body Shop — Not Your Insurance Company
After a wreck, your insurer may suggest its “preferred” shop. Texas law says you get to pick. Hub City works with every insurance company, so you can choose a local shop you trust.
What Texas law says
Insurers cannot directly or indirectly require you to use a specific repair shop or select one from their list. Adjusters cannot say or suggest that you must use a particular shop for repairs to be covered.
Your right to choose does not remove policy limits or deductibles. Insurers are not required to pay more than a reasonable amount for repairs and parts.
Read the Texas Department of Insurance bulletinWhat to say to your adjuster
“I’m choosing Hub City Body Shop for my repairs.”
“Please send the estimate and claim details to my shop.”
“If you have a coverage concern, please explain it in writing.”
Preferred shop vs. your choice
| Insurer’s preferred / DRP shop | A shop you choose |
|---|---|
| A direct repair program (DRP) is an arrangement between an insurer and a repair shop for handling repairs and claims. | You select the shop based on its certifications, repair approach, communication, and your trust in the team. |
| The insurer may recommend its network. Being on that list does not make it your only option. | You can ask how repairs are planned and work directly with the people repairing your vehicle. Coverage still depends on the claim. |
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Your insurance questions, answered
Can my insurance make me use their shop in Texas?
No. Texas law protects your right to choose a repair shop. An insurer may recommend a shop, but cannot require you to use it or choose from its list.
Choosing a shop does not remove your deductible, policy limits, or the need to document repairs. Ask your adjuster what inspection and estimate information is required, and give the insurer your chosen shop’s details. Keep any coverage concerns in writing so you can review them alongside the repair estimate.
What if my adjuster pushes their shop?
Tell the adjuster which shop you chose and ask for any coverage concerns in writing. If pressure continues, contact the Texas Department of Insurance.
Keep notes of the conversation and separate a recommendation from a statement about coverage. Ask the insurer to identify the policy provision behind any refusal or added cost. The repair shop can help explain its estimate, but an unresolved coverage dispute may need assistance beyond the shop’s repair role.
Will choosing my own shop delay my claim?
Choosing your own shop does not automatically delay a claim. Timing depends on inspections, insurer approvals, parts availability, and the repair schedule.
Ask both the shop and insurer what steps remain before work can proceed. Initial estimates may change when hidden damage is found, and parts delivery can affect the schedule regardless of the shop you select. Confirm rental limits separately rather than assuming they will cover every delay in the repair process.
Do I pay more if I don't use their shop?
Shop choice alone does not determine your bill. Your deductible, coverage, and any disputed repair costs still matter. Insurers are not required to pay more than a reasonable amount for repairs and parts.
Compare the proposed repair work with the insurer’s estimate and ask which differences are unresolved. Manufacturer procedures, parts choices, and hidden damage can affect the final amount. Before authorizing work, discuss any potential customer responsibility with the shop and insurer. Do not assume a preferred shop or independent shop guarantees a particular payment outcome.
Do you work with my insurance company?
Yes. Hub City works with every insurance company and helps coordinate the repair estimate and claim paperwork. Coverage and payment remain subject to your claim.
Bring your claim number, adjuster contact information, and any existing estimate so the team can review the repair needs. We can document damage and communicate about the repair plan. You remain responsible for understanding your coverage, deductible, and any authorization or payment requirements established by your policy and the claim process.
Who picks the shop if the accident wasn't my fault?
You choose the repair shop, including when you claim against the other driver’s insurer. The Texas Department of Insurance bulletin addresses both first-party and third-party claimants.
A third-party claim still requires the other insurer to investigate liability and coverage. Rental arrangements and payment timing may differ from a claim under your own policy. Tell the adjuster which shop you selected and ask how inspections and estimates will be coordinated. Keep written records of any disputed repair or payment issue.
General information, not legal advice. Coverage and repair costs depend on the facts of your claim and applicable policy terms.
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