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

Your bottom line

You pay for insurance so you have options. The right to choose your shop is one of them. Use it.