Our customers at Auto Collision Center of Exeter often ask this when weighing an insurer’s suggested shop against their own choice for auto body damage repair in Exeter, NH, after a crash. New Hampshire law is clear about who decides.
New Hampshire law lets you choose your own auto body repair shop after an accident. Your insurer may recommend a repair facility but cannot require you to use it. If your repair shop and insurer cannot agree on a fair and reasonable repair price after following New Hampshire’s claims settlement requirements, you may be responsible for costs exceeding the insurer’s payment.
Key Takeaways:
- Right to choose: New Hampshire’s Insurance Department confirms drivers may select their own repair facility; an insurer cannot force a specific shop.
- Fair and reasonable price standard: NH Rule Ins. 1002.17(a) ties insurer settlements to what comparable, willing, and able local shops charge.
- Estimate gap risk: If your repair facility and insurer cannot agree on a fair and reasonable repair price after the claims process required by NH Rule Ins. 1002.17, you may be responsible for costs above the insurer’s payment.
What Happens If Your Chosen Shop’s Estimate Doesn’t Match the Insurer’s?
New Hampshire’s fair and reasonable price standard decides who covers the gap between your shop’s estimate and your insurer’s figure. The insurer isn’t required to match your shop’s number, only a price comparable to what local shops would charge for similar work.
How Is “Fair and Reasonable” Determined?
NH Rule Ins. 1002.17(a) ties settlements to what a recognized, competent, and conveniently located independent repair shop would charge for similar work, according to the New Hampshire Insurance Department’s 2022 Automobile Insurance Consumer Guide. The guide confirms drivers can select their own auto body repair shop, though they may owe the difference if their shop and the insurer can’t agree on cost. New Hampshire regulations require settlement offers to represent the fair and reasonable local price for comparable repairs. Insurers are not required to accept every repair estimate exactly as submitted if they determine another qualified repair facility can perform the work at a fair and reasonable price. A gap only becomes your responsibility if both sides fail to reach an agreement.
We build our estimates around what a repair actually requires, and we work directly with insurers to settle on a fair and reasonable price.
What Is a Direct Repair Program (DRP)?
A Direct Repair Program (DRP) is an arrangement where an insurer pre-approves certain shops for streamlined claims handling. Using a DRP shop is optional under New Hampshire law, not mandatory.
| Feature | DRP Shop | Independently Chosen Shop |
| Insurer relationship | Pre-approved, streamlined paperwork | You lead more of the negotiation |
| Price setting | Often a pre-negotiated rate schedule | Settled case-by-case against the fair and reasonable price standard |
| Who decides | Suggested by insurer | Entirely yours under NH law |
Auto Collision Center of Exeter holds DRP status with State Farm, Geico, and Amica, and welcomes drivers whose insurers suggest a different shop.
How Do You Choose an Auto Body Shop After an Accident?
- Get a written estimate from Auto Collision Center of Exeter or the shop you prefer before authorizing any work.
- Compare it to the insurer’s figure for your car body repair in Exeter, NH, noting any gap between the two.
- Ask about certification. A certified auto body shop like ours, holding credentials like I-CAR Gold Class, can support a fair and reasonable price argument.
- Contact the NH Insurance Department if your shop and insurer can’t agree.
At Auto Collision Center of Exeter, we build every estimate around the damage in front of us, not around an insurer’s preferred network. We aim to provide affordable auto body repair while holding to manufacturer repair standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does choosing a non-DRP shop affect my insurance coverage?
No. A non-DRP shop is outside your insurer’s network. Coverage stays intact under New Hampshire law, though price is handled separately.
Can my insurer deny my entire claim if I use my own shop?
No. An insurer cannot deny a valid claim simply because you prefer an auto body shop near you outside its network. If that happens, New Hampshire’s Insurance Department Consumer Services Division reviews complaints like this.
Are you entitled to a workmanship guarantee if you choose your own shop?
Yes. NH Rule Ins. 1002.17 entitles you to the usual and customary guarantees on materials and workmanship, regardless of which shop you choose.
Ready to Choose Your Repair Shop?
Bring your written estimate to Auto Collision Center of Exeter. As a certified auto body shop in Exeter, NH, we provide fair, accurate repairs. Call (603) 772-0214 or email us at accofexeter@gmail.com to get a free estimate.