Is it illegal for an insurance company to steer you to a specific shop?
No, insurance companies cannot legally force you to use their preferred shop, a practice commonly referred to as steering. Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 20-468 explicitly protects your right to select your own repair facility. While an insurance representative might suggest that using their network will make the claim go faster or guarantee the work, they cannot deny your claim or refuse to pay for necessary repairs simply because you chose an independent shop like Liberty Collision Center.
Why do insurance companies want you to use their preferred shops?
Insurance companies steer you to Direct Repair Program (DRP) shops because those shops have signed contracts to keep repair costs down for the insurer. In exchange for a steady stream of customer referrals, DRP shops often agree to use cheaper aftermarket parts, skip certain labor steps, or discount their rates. Because Liberty Collision Center is an independent shop, we do not sign these restrictive contracts; our only priority is restoring your vehicle to its pre-accident safety and structural integrity using OEM parts and proper ADAS calibration.
What are the benefits of choosing an independent collision shop?
Choosing an independent collision shop means your vehicle is repaired with your safety as the primary goal, not the insurance company's bottom line. At Liberty Collision Center, we act as your personal advocate during the claims process, ensuring that necessary structural repairs and critical safety calibrations are performed correctly. We accept all insurance plans and handle the hard negotiations to make sure the insurer pays for a proper repair, rather than cutting corners with cheap alternative parts.
If your vehicle is currently sitting in a tow yard or you are feeling pressured by an insurance adjuster to use their network, call Liberty Collision Center at (623) 931-2110. We will get your vehicle out of impound quickly, handle the insurance paperwork, and advocate for your right to a safe, OEM-standard repair.
- Absolute freedom of choice under Arizona law to select your own repair facility.
- A dedicated team focused on your safety, utilizing OEM parts and proper structural repair standards.
- No pressure to cut corners or use sub-standard aftermarket components to satisfy an insurance contract.
- Full ADAS calibration to ensure your vehicle's safety sensors operate exactly as the manufacturer intended.