How bad is this?
Insurance companies can't force you to repair your car anywhere. It's your car, you choose shop of choice. Anything else is illegal steering.
Technically true, and you're not wrong and most of the time it's no problem..
But there's "force" and there's "force". My last claim, one shop I was offered "two weeks back on the road", the other shop (that I knew had higher rates, but far better work) would be a "minimum of 6 months" and lots of implied hassle for a loaner etc (claimed there would need to be waivers, in person adjusters, pictures, submission of costs for approval, etc). There were also caveats of "we'll pay an average of the most reasonable bids, and won't pay if a shop goes over that average" etc, etc. Technically they can't do any of that either, but they have all the leverage in most cases. Getting it done right was going to be a massive headache. "But you can still take it where you want". In this instance it was some no name insurance used by people who've had duis and have trouble getting coverage. Process wound up taking 7 damn months of them calling on nights and weekends (when our ringers are off, which they knew) and then not answering when we called until I threatened to sue their client. Had a check 4 days later.. That's how these places roll. Make it tough and hope you give up or take the easy route - if you challenge or threaten them they suddenly cough up and claim "you're whole" and thus have no grounds for complaint...
Damage wasn't horrible and it's my shitbox daily so I took the cash (which was only $40 under the bid from the shop I preferred but which the insurance claimed would take forever and be a hassle). Since the car is kind of obscure parts arent cheap or easy to come by so I made out pretty damn good in fact! LOL.
Way back in time I went through the same thing after borrowing a car and then getting hit in a hit n run. Was a brand new jeep and the owner wanted it "right". Took a year to replace a wheel and a fender on a TJ. The insurance insisted on buying the parts, the parts were "lost", "damaged in shipping", they tried to buy used parts and claim they were new... Etc. It was obvious retaliation for not going to the preferred shop. But they "let us" take it where we wanted.. (geico, BTW).
