Do I Have to Use the Body Shop My Insurance Recommends?
Reese Calder · Service Writer, Ultimate Car Care Group · April 26, 2026 · 6 min read
You've just been rear-ended on the way home, you call your insurer to start the claim, and the adjuster on the line says, "We'll send you over to one of our preferred shops." The wording is firm enough that most people assume they have to go where they're told. In Alberta, you don't. The choice of body shop has always belonged to you. This is what's actually going on behind that "preferred" label, and why it matters.
The short answer, the legal version
Alberta consumer protection rules give the vehicle owner the right to choose the repair facility. Your insurer can recommend a shop on their preferred or direct-repair network, and there are real conveniences to doing so, but they can't force the choice. If you tell them you want to use our collision team, they're required to work with us on the claim the same way they would with anyone on their list.
Say it once, in plain words
On the call with your insurer, say: "I'd like the claim assigned to Ultimate Car Care." That sentence is all it takes. We handle the rest from there.
What "preferred shop" really means
Preferred or direct-repair program (DRP) shops have a contract with the insurer that streamlines paperwork and pricing. That can be genuinely faster for simple claims. The trade-off is that the contract often caps the labour rate the shop can charge and pushes the use of aftermarket or recycled parts on jobs that arguably warrant OEM parts. None of that is hidden, but it's not always explained on the first phone call either.
Things that don't change when you pick your own shop:
- Your deductible stays the same.
- Your claim is still filed and paid by your insurer.
- Direct billing still happens between the shop and the insurer, so you only pay the deductible at pickup.
- Your warranty rights aren't affected by where you choose to repair the vehicle.
When choosing your own shop is worth it
If the damage involves modern safety systems, OEM parts, or structural work, the shop choice really matters. Our certified technicians repair to manufacturer specifications, recalibrate driver-assistance sensors after a collision through our ADAS service, and use OEM parts where the procedure calls for it. That isn't always guaranteed on a network shop running at the contracted labour rate.
They walked me through what the insurance was asking for and what I actually needed. Felt like someone was finally on my side.
Which Calgary location handles your repair
All three of our shops handle insurance claims with direct billing and real-time status updates. Where you drop the vehicle is usually about what's convenient for the rest of your day. The Foothills bodyshop is our central collision hub in southeast Calgary. Country Hills covers the north and northwest, and the Avenida Concierge location in the deep south will pick the vehicle up, drop a rental in your driveway, and handle the swap so you don't lose half a workday to a claim.
What to expect either way
| Step | Network shop | Your own shop (us) |
|---|---|---|
| File the claim | Insurer assigns | You name the shop |
| Estimate | Done at assigned shop | Done at our shop with insurer alignment |
| Parts decision | Contract often pushes aftermarket | OEM where the procedure requires it |
| Deductible | Same | Same |
| Warranty | Varies by shop | Lifetime workmanship warranty |
| Status updates | Varies | Automatic real-time updates |
Watch for the "steering" pitch
If you're told you can't use the shop of your choice, or that your claim will be slower, or that your warranty will be voided, push back politely. That's called steering, and it's not allowed in Alberta. You're free to call us and have us call the insurer for you.
Will my insurance refuse to cover the repair if I don't use their preferred shop?
No. As long as the claim is valid and the estimate is reasonable, your insurer pays the same way regardless of which shop you choose. They may pay our estimate directly to us by direct billing, exactly the same flow as a network shop.
Is the repair slower if I pick my own shop?
Not in our experience. The bottleneck is usually parts availability, not paperwork. We send the estimate to your insurer the same day in most cases and get to work as soon as it's approved.
Will I have to pay anything extra out of pocket?
Only your deductible, unless you choose upgrades that aren't covered by the policy, such as OEM parts the insurer won't fund or extra detailing. We'll always tell you up front before adding anything to the bill.
Can I use my own shop even if the other driver's insurance is paying?
Yes. The right to choose the shop applies whether you're filing on your own policy or on a third-party claim. The not-at-fault claim is handled directly with the at-fault driver's insurer, and we coordinate it the same way.
Just had an accident?
Tell your insurer you're using Ultimate Car Care, then book an appointment and we'll handle the rest.
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About the author
Reese Calder · Service Writer, Ultimate Car Care Group
Reese is the service writer for Ultimate Car Care Group and writes the blog from inside the three Calgary shops, translating what the estimators, body techs, glass installers, and detailers see every day into plain answers for drivers.
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