If you’ve ever filed an auto insurance claim in Alberta and heard your insurer say “we’re going to send you to our shop”, it’s worth knowing this: you don’t have to go there.

The rule in Alberta

Under Alberta insurance regulations, the vehicle owner has the right to choose the collision repair facility. Your insurer can recommend a shop, and they may have preferred provider arrangements with certain shops (often called “DRP” or Direct Repair Programs), but they cannot require you to use one.

This applies whether you’re filing a comprehensive claim, a collision claim, or dealing with a not-at-fault claim on the other driver’s insurance.

Why insurers recommend their preferred shops

There’s nothing sinister about DRP arrangements, insurers negotiate volume discounts with certain shops, which is why they push work that way. For a driver, using a preferred shop is often smoother because the paperwork flows automatically.

But there are trade-offs. Insurer preferred shops sometimes:

  • Prioritize lower-cost aftermarket parts over OEM parts
  • Have tighter labor allotments that push shops to work faster
  • Handle a high volume, which can mean less individualized attention

None of that is universally bad. But it’s why the right to choose matters.

Why you might want to choose your own shop

Independent, locally owned shops often:

  • Use OEM parts by default on safety-critical repairs
  • Offer a lifetime workmanship warranty (some DRP shops do too: always ask)
  • Take the time to explain what they’re doing and why
  • Have direct relationships with the same insurers, so direct billing still works
  • Stand behind the work because their reputation is local and personal

You get the same insurance coverage. You just get to choose who does the work.

How to choose your own shop

When your insurer’s adjuster asks where you want the vehicle towed or repaired, simply say: “I’d like to use [shop name] in Sherwood Park.” That’s it. The adjuster will send the claim details to your chosen shop, and the shop will coordinate the rest.

If you haven’t chosen a shop yet, ask your adjuster to hold the claim open until you decide. Take an afternoon to get one or two estimates locally.

What to look for in a local shop

  • Locally owned and operated: the people you meet are the people responsible for the work
  • Lifetime workmanship warranty: real coverage, transferable across Canada and the US
  • Direct billing with all major Alberta insurers: so you don’t front the cost
  • Certified technicians: trained on the specific platforms in modern vehicles
  • Pre- and post-collision diagnostic scans as standard practice
  • Good local reviews: especially recent ones on Google

What if your insurer pushes back?

Some adjusters push harder than others for their preferred shop. Here’s how to handle it:

  • “Our shop can get you in faster”: maybe, but faster isn’t always better if you’re sacrificing parts quality or warranty coverage
  • “We can only guarantee the work at our preferred shop”: the shop’s warranty covers the work regardless. A lifetime workmanship warranty from a reputable independent shop is typically stronger than a DRP arrangement
  • “We’ll need to send our own appraiser to your chosen shop”: that’s fine. The adjuster and the shop will coordinate. This is standard procedure and not a reason to switch shops

If you feel pressured, ask the adjuster to confirm in writing that you don’t have the right to choose. They won’t, because you do.

Can you switch shops mid-repair?

Yes, but it gets complicated. If work has already started at one shop, switching means the new shop has to assess what’s been done, verify it meets standards, and potentially redo work they can’t warranty. It’s better to choose the right auto body shop upfront.

If you’ve only dropped the vehicle off for an estimate and no work has started, switching is straightforward, just tell your adjuster you’ve changed your mind on the facility.

Your bottom line

You pay for insurance so you have options. The right to choose your shop is one of them. Use it. Not sure where to start? Here’s a recommended collision shop in Sherwood Park and a list of questions to ask before you commit.