After the recent winter storms, many Lake Tahoe residents are dealing with vehicle damage and insurance claims. During this process, some drivers are being told they must take their vehicles to out-of-area repair shops in order for their insurance to cover the repairs.

This is not true.

Insurance companies may recommend repair facilities, but California law gives consumers the legal right to choose any licensed repair shop. Pressuring a customer into using a specific shop through misleading statements, threats of delays, or claims of lost coverage is known as insurance steering, and it is illegal.

Choosing your own repair shop does not change your insurance coverage or your deductible. Your vehicle is still required to be repaired to its pre-accident condition, meeting safety and industry standards.

Local repair facilities are already seeing vehicles return from out-of-town shops with improper or unsafe repairs. In many of these cases, the work must be re-inspected and corrected, delaying the process even further and potentially putting drivers at risk.

Consumers are encouraged to slow down before approving any repair estimate, towing destination, or shop referral, and to remember that they have the right to make the final decision.

If a driver believes their rights are being violated, they can contact the California Department of Insurance for assistance:
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/

Additional consumer information can also be found through the Department’s consumer protection resources:
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/

Community members who have questions about the repair process are encouraged to speak directly with a licensed local repair facility or the Department of Insurance before authorizing repairs.