Can your insurance company pick your body shop in Texas?
Texas law says your insurance company can’t require you to use a particular repair shop. Here’s what that means after a crash and how to use your own shop.
Insurance
Insurance repairs at Patagonia Garage
How a repair works when your insurance company is paying, and when paying yourself makes more sense.
Patagonia Garage: your advocate in insurance claims
Dealing with an insurance claim is stressful. At Patagonia Garage we work through it with you: the estimate with your adjuster, a supplement if we find hidden damage once the car is apart, and a written price so you always know where you stand.
You choose the shop
In Texas, your insurance company can’t require you to use a particular repair shop (Texas Insurance Code §1952.301). Your adjuster may suggest one; the choice is yours.
Direct billing to the insurance company.
Paying yourself
For smaller dents and scrapes, paying yourself can cost less than your deductible plus a possible premium increase. Ask for the written price first and decide with the numbers.
How a claim repair works
Report the claim
Call your insurance company and write down the claim number.
Tell them your shop
Give your adjuster our name and address: Patagonia Garage, 9103 Cypress Creek Pkwy H, Houston, TX 77070.
Estimate
We work with your adjuster on the repair estimate.
Repair
You pay your deductible. If we find hidden damage, we photograph it and send it to your insurance company as a supplement.
Insurance companies
Customers of these insurance companies, and others, bring their claims to us:
- 21st Century
- AAA
- AIG
- Allstate
- American Family
- Amica
- Bristol West
- Chubb
- Farmers
- Geico
- Germania
- Infinity
- Kemper
- Liberty Mutual
- MAPFRE
- Mercury
- Metromile
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- Root
- Safeco
- State Farm
- Tesla Insurance
- Texas Farm Bureau
- The General
- The Hartford
- Travelers
- USAA
Guides
Hidden damage: why your repair estimate can change
The first estimate is often written before anything is taken apart. Here’s what hidden damage is and how an insurance supplement works.
Small dent: file an insurance claim or pay yourself?
How to decide between an insurance claim and paying out of pocket for a small dent or scrape, using three numbers.
Get the price in writing
Text a few photos of the damage or bring the car by. Eduardo will tell you what it needs and what it costs before any work starts.