How do I
choose a Collision and Refinish Center?
As the
owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident or
submitting an insurance claim, you have the right to
choose the shop where you wish to have your vehicle
repaired. Verify your shop of choice is registered with
the state of Maryland and look for certificates of
technician training and memberships in professional
associations.
Do I need more
than one Estimate?
No. Select a repair facility that you feel
comfortable with, then notify your agent or Insurance
Company, or ask the shop to call the involved insurance
company on your behalf.
DRP Body Shops
- What are they?
Direct
Repair Programs (DRP) or insurance company referrals of
certain repair facilities could be known as: State
Farm's "Service First" program, Allstate's "PRO"
program, USAA's "STARS" program, Progressive's "Total
Pro or Concierge" program and Nationwide's "Blue Ribbon"
program, to name a few.
Although
Insurance companies refer to direct repair programs
differently, they essentially mean the same thing. DRP
Facilities are shops that have formed strategic
alliances with Insurers. The shop meets the insurance
company's criteria of their specific program and the
shop agrees to do business in that manner. The Insurance
Company's purpose of DRP (Direct Repair Programs) is to
streamline the claims settlement process and they work
closely with the select repair facility to accomplish
that. The shop agrees to provide many of the
administrative duties of the insurance carrier in
exchange for the referral. All Insurance companies, just
like repair facilities are not the same.
It is the consumer's responsibility to determine if this
program is what you want, or if this is how you want
your vehicle repaired. The repair facility
must explain the repair process to you, the vehicle
owner. It should be understood and agreed upon on what
is being repaired versus what is being replaced, and
what type of parts are being utilized in the repair
process prior to the vehicle owner authorizing the shop
to proceed with the vehicle repairs. It is
the consumer's responsibility and right to choose the
repair facility of their choice
and authorize the repairs based on a thorough and agreed
upon damage evaluation. DRP's (Direct Repair Programs)
are an optional program of the insurance carrier.
The consumer is not required or obligated to use
a DRP facility.
