Question about auto claim

I live in the state of Kansas. My brother-in-law hit my car with his car in a driveway. He called his insurance company and got a claim number. They gave me a list of "authorized" repair shops. I would like to take it to the Honda dealer where I bought it. Can his insurance company force me to use a certain repair shop? And do I need to get three separate estimates? Thanks in advance for your help!

If you want to deal with his insurance company, then you have to follow their rules -- which rules, BTW, are designed to minimize their own loss, and protect their own client. Not you.

If you want to do what you want to do, you need to claim through your OWN insurance company, and let them sue your BIL's company (and perhaps your BIL himself) for reimbursement.

Thanks for the info!

I actually spoke with my brother-in-law's insurance company, USAA. They informed me that I can take my car to any repair shop of my choice. If I don't go to one of their "approved" shops, they simply send out a claims adjuster to look at the damage and prepare an estimate. If my body shop agrees with the estimate, USAA gives me a check for the amount and I'm free to do whatever. I don't care for insurance companies, but I hate to admit it, the USAA agent was very friendly and easy to work with.

Your opinion of insurance companies will change when you have to actually use the coverage!!! All you have to do is call and ask the agent/adjustor teh questions and if they can't then you need to get with a different company agent casue there are plenty out there that are great people but others that ruin it just like anything.

Your posts are a few months old, however this is worth mentioning. Another option you have is to take the money and not repair the vehicle. It is a legal alternative as well.

It depends on the insurance company. In some cases, if your vehicle is still under lien, you do not get to simply "cash the check." Both you and your lien-holder must sign the check and most likely you then will be required/instructed to take the car to an authorized repair shop with the proceeds.