By Marcus Bell · October 27, 2026
After an accident, many people assume the insurance company decides where the car goes. In Ohio, as in most states, that decision belongs to you.
Insurers may steer you toward a direct repair shop because it simplifies their process. That shop can be perfectly good, but it works under the insurer's pricing agreement.
If you prefer another shop, tell the adjuster when you open the claim. The shop sends its estimate to the insurer, and the two sides agree on the repair.
If hidden damage appears once the car is taken apart, the shop files a supplement. That is normal, and it is part of the claim, not an extra bill for you.
