READ PROFESSOR DANIEL SCHWARCZ TESTIMONY to a Senate Committee on the lack of information insurers provide to consumers and the poor job the state departments of insurance do of policing, regulating, and assisting consumers with insurance issues.
IMPROVING INFORMATION ONE VEHICLE AT A TIME
Automotive Education & Policy Institute

Consumers

Did you know that the federal government does not oversee activities to ensure that your motor vehicle stays safe once it has been manufactured? 

Did you also know that the majority of states do not require collision repair businesses or their technicians to have any training, knowledge, or skill to be entitled to engage in repairs to your vehicle? 

Did you know that the insurance adjuster who tells you how much money it will take to repair your vehicle has likely never repaired a collision-damaged vehicle and often only had two weeks of training by the insurance company about how to write an estimate before being allowed to start determining repair costs for your vehicle?

As highly regulated as most professions are, there is very little regulation of collision repair businesses and even less regulation prohibiting insurers from interfering with the repairs your vehicle will receive.  Insurers often attempt to insert themselves into the repair process and the agreement you have with the repairer about the safe and proper manner of restoring your vehicle.  To be able to exercise as much control as possible over the repairs you will receive many insurers have created direct repair programs, those networks of "preferred collision providers" to which they actively urge you to patronize.  While these networks are dressed up to sound great for you, they really only benefit the insurer.  Some of these preferred shops have turned out vehicles that were unsafe to drive.

Don't just take our word for it.  Read the "Confessions of an Auto Claims Adjuster" at edmunds.com who recommends you ignore the insurance company's recommendation of a collision repair shop and choose your own.
Questions to ask your insurer about automobile coverage.
Know your rights!  Laws that may affect you, your vehicle, and everyone else on the road.
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