Can You Choose Your Own Auto Body Shop in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada gives insured drivers and claimants the right to choose a licensed body shop. An insurance company’s recommendation can be an option to consider, but choosing a shop and determining what a claim pays are separate decisions.

Before authorizing repairs, compare the shop’s repair plan, communication and written terms. Then clarify your coverage and any costs you may need to pay.

What Nevada’s shop-choice law says

NRS 690B.016 says an insurer must notify an insured or claimant of the right to select a licensed body shop when first contacted about a motor-vehicle damage claim. It also prohibits knowingly recommending an unlicensed shop or requiring one Nevada-licensed body shop over another.

The same statute limits the payment obligation: it does not require an insurer to pay more than the reasonable rate required under the policy. It is not a promise that every shop charge, requested part or additional service will be covered.

What could you pay out of pocket?

Start by asking which coverage or claim will pay for the damage. Your own collision coverage, another driver’s liability claim and a repair you pay for yourself involve different payment arrangements. Simply having an auto insurance policy does not establish coverage for every repair.

The Nevada Division of Insurance’s auto insurance terms guide explains collision coverage and deductibles. Its consumer guidance also emphasizes checking policy limits, conditions and exclusions.

Before work begins, ask the shop and insurer to clarify:

• Coverage and limits: Has the insurer accepted coverage for this loss, and what remains under review?
• Your deductible: What amount applies to your own claim, and when will it be due?
• Parts: Does the estimate specify new original equipment manufacturer (OEM), aftermarket or recycled parts? What does the vehicle’s repair procedure require, and what has the insurer agreed to pay?
• Unapproved work or price differences: Is there a disputed charge, an optional upgrade or unrelated damage? Ask for the proposed customer cost before authorizing it.
• Other expenses: What are the arrangements and possible charges for towing, storage, disassembly and rental transportation?

A higher shop estimate does not, by itself, establish what you owe. Ask which items differ and whether further inspection or a supplement is needed. Keep copies of estimates, authorizations and the insurer’s written explanation of any disputed item.

Does choosing a shop mean the insurer must pay for OEM parts?

No automatic OEM-parts entitlement follows from choosing a shop. Ask what your vehicle’s repair procedures call for, which parts the insurer has approved and who would pay any unresolved difference before authorizing the work.

Nevada also has separate rules for certain nonmechanical sheet-metal or plastic body parts. NAC 487.170 requires written identification and the owner’s written consent before aftermarket or used body parts are installed. Aftermarket body parts also require written origin and warranty disclosures. Review the parts list and consent documents with the shop; these rules do not by themselves determine what your insurance policy pays.

Independent and insurer-network shops: compare the individual shop

An insurer-network shop participates in that insurer’s repair program, often called a direct repair program (DRP). An independently owned shop may also participate in a network, so “independent” and “network” are not always opposites.

A network arrangement may offer coordinated paperwork or a program-specific repair guarantee; ask for the actual terms. A shop outside that network may also communicate directly with the insurer and provide its own written warranty. Neither label establishes repair quality, parts suitability or how well a shop will communicate.

Use the same questions for both. A useful answer explains what applies to your vehicle and claim without promising an outcome before inspection.

Six questions to ask an auto body shop

1. Are you licensed, and who will repair this vehicle? Ask for the facility’s Nevada body shop license details. If a manufacturer certification matters to you, verify that it is current and applies to that location and vehicle.
2. How will you establish the full repair scope? Ask what the initial estimate can show, when disassembly may be needed and how hidden damage is documented.
3. How do you use manufacturer repair information? Ask how the shop identifies repair or replacement requirements and applicable diagnostic scans, alignment or calibration.
4. What will I authorize? Request a written estimate, the proposed parts and an explanation of how changes or additional costs will be handled.
5. How will you update me? Identify your contact person and ask how parts delays, insurer decisions and changes to the expected completion date are communicated.
6. What happens after pickup? Read the written warranty, including its coverage, exclusions, duration and claim process. Ask whom to contact if a concern appears.

Nevada DMV’s body shop customer bill of rights is a useful reference when reviewing repair paperwork. Recent reviews and repair photos can help you prepare questions, but they cannot establish how your particular vehicle will be repaired.

How to use your chosen shop for an insurance claim

Once you have chosen a licensed shop, make the next steps clear to both the shop and your insurer:

1. Share the claim details. Tell the insurer which shop you selected. Give the shop your claim number, adjuster’s contact information and any estimate or damage photos you already have.
2. Agree on communication. Ask whether the shop will submit estimates, photos and supplements directly to the insurer, and what authorization it needs from you. Confirm who will keep you updated on decisions.
3. Review what you are approving. Read the estimate and repair authorization before signing. Ask how hidden damage, additional work and any amount you may owe will be explained and approved.
4. Discuss timing and transportation. Ask about the shop’s schedule, parts availability, inspections and any insurer review still needed. Confirm rental limits and possible storage charges before leaving the vehicle.

Choosing a shop outside an insurer’s network does not establish how long your claim or repair will take. The damage, available parts, repair requirements and outstanding approvals affect the schedule. Our collision repair timeline guide explains the milestones to ask about.

What if the shop and insurer disagree?

Ask for an itemized explanation of the difference and what documentation is needed for review. A supplement can document additional repair needs, but approval is not guaranteed. Clarify the insurer’s decision and any proposed customer charge before authorizing disputed work. If you cannot resolve an insurance issue with the insurer or agent, the Nevada Division of Insurance’s Consumer Services Section can explain its complaint process.

How Universal Motorcars can help

Universal Motorcars offers auto body and collision repair at two Las Vegas locations. Our team starts with an in-person assessment and coordinates repair estimates and supplements with insurers when we perform the repairs. The collision repair process guide explains what happens after that first estimate.

• Spring Mountain: 5585 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146. Collision and full passenger-vehicle mechanical repair, including Tesla collision and mechanical work. Call 702-754-6774.
• Post Road: 3570 W Post Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118. Collision repair, RV and commercial body work, plus Tesla collision, mechanical and alignment services. Call 702-430-1000.

For general passenger-vehicle mechanical repairs, contact Spring Mountain. For accident damage, call either team or send a repair inquiry. Bring your vehicle information, claim number and any existing estimate. We can then discuss the inspection, authorization and next steps for your situation.