What They Don't Want you to Know
You've just been in an accident. Your heart is still pounding, your car is damaged, and now your phone is ringing — it's the insurance company, and they're already telling you where to take your car.
Here's the thing: a lot of what drivers believe about the insurance claims process simply isn't true. Some of it is outdated. Some of it is misunderstanding. And some of it, frankly, benefits the insurance company more than it benefits you.
Common Myths
At Clegg Auto Body and Collision in Spanish Fork, we walk customers through insurance claims every single day. Let's bust the biggest myths — so the next time you need collision repair, you know your rights.
- I Have to Take My Car Where the Insurance Company Tells Me: The truth: You can take your car anywhere you want. Period. This isn't just our opinion — it's Utah law. Insurance companies in Utah cannot limit your coverage based on which repair shop you choose. The shop decision belongs to one person: you. Your insurer is allowed to recommend a shop from their "preferred" network, but a recommendation is all it is. If they imply your claim won't be covered unless you use their shop, that's called steering — and it's prohibited.
- I Need to Get Three Estimates Before Repairs Can Start: The truth: Utah law prohibits insurers from requiring more than two estimates as a condition of paying your claim — and in practice, one estimate from a qualified shop is almost always all it takes. Driving your damaged car all over the valley collecting estimates isn't a legal requirement. Pick a shop you trust, get one solid estimate, and let the shop and the insurer work out the details.
- If I Don't Use Their Preferred Shop, My Claim Will be Denied, Or I'll Pay More Out of Pocket: The truth: Your insurance company owes you what your policy says it owes you, no matter which shop does the work. An insurer cannot deny your claim simply because you chose a shop outside their network. Your deductible doesn't change. Your coverage doesn't change. The only thing that changes is who's looking out for you while your car is being repaired.
- The Insurance Company's First Estimate is the Final Price: The truth: The first estimate is a starting point, not a ceiling. Collision damage often hides below the surface. Once a shop disassembles the damaged area, it's common to find additional damage that wasn't visible during the initial inspection. When that happens, the shop documents it and submits a "supplement" to the insurance company. This is a normal, everyday part of the repair process — not a red flag, and not something you pay for out of pocket on a covered claim.
- Filing a Claim Will Automatically Raise My Rates: The truth: A claim doesn't automatically mean a rate hike — especially if the accident wasn't your fault. Rate impacts depend on who was at fault, your claims history, and your insurer's policies. Many drivers pay out of pocket for repairs their insurance would have covered because they assume any claim equals higher premiums. Before you decide, talk to your agent about how a specific claim would actually affect your policy. Don't leave coverage you've been paying for on the table out of fear.
- If the Other Driver Caused the Accident, I Have to Wait on Their Insurance Company: The truth: You usually have two paths — and one is often much faster. You can file with the at-fault driver's insurance, or you can file through your own collision coverage and let your insurer recover the costs from the other company (a process called subrogation). Going through your own insurer often gets your car into the shop sooner. You may need to front your deductible, but in a clear-fault situation it's typically refunded once your insurer recovers from the other side. A good shop can help you weigh which route makes sense.
- Repairs are Only Guaranteed if I Use the Insurance Company's Shop: The truth: Reputable independent shops stand behind their own work — the warranty comes from the shop, not the insurance company. Insurers often promote the warranty offered through their preferred network as a reason to use their shop. But quality shops warranty their repairs regardless of who's paying the bill. Ask any shop you're considering about their written warranty before work begins. At Clegg Auto Body and Collision, we back our work with a lifetime warranty!
- The Insurance Company is Paying, so the Shop Works for Them: The truth: The shop works for you. The insurance company just pays the bill. This is the most important mindset shift on this list. The repair agreement is between you and the shop you choose. The insurer's job is to fund the covered repair — not to direct it, rush it, or cut corners on it. When you choose your own shop, you have an advocate whose loyalty is to you and your vehicle, not to an insurance company's cost targets.
- I Have No Say on What Parts Go On My Car: The truth: You have the right to know exactly what parts are being used — and to be part of that conversation. Estimates may include OEM (original manufacturer) parts, aftermarket parts, or recycled parts, and what your insurer pays for depends on your specific policy. What never changes: you're entitled to a written estimate that spells out the parts being used, and a trustworthy shop will walk you through your options and what they mean for your vehicle's safety, fit, and value.
- All Body Shops do the Same Repair - Insurance Covers it Either Way: The truth: Who repairs your car matters as much as who pays for it. Modern vehicles are engineered with crumple zones, high-strength steel, and advanced safety systems that must be restored to factory specifications. Repair quality varies widely between shops — in training, equipment, paint matching, and attention to detail. Your safety in the NEXT accident depends on how well this repair is done. Choose your shop the way you'd choose a doctor: based on skill and trust, not on whoever was assigned to you.
Your Car. Your Claim. Your Choice
If you've been in an accident in Spanish Fork or anywhere in Utah County, you don't have to navigate the insurance process alone — and you don't have to take your car anywhere you don't want to. Bring it to a shop that works for you.
Have questions about an insurance claim? Call Clegg Auto Body and Collision in Spanish Fork at (801) 794-5511,or stop by our shop at 1485 N Main St, Spanish Fork, UT 84660, and we'll walk you through it, no pressure and no obligation.
