{"id":3503,"date":"2026-05-07T11:47:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goldentouchnj.com\/staging\/5166\/?p=3503"},"modified":"2026-05-07T12:35:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:35:23","slug":"choose-your-own-auto-body-shop-nj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goldentouchnj.com\/staging\/5166\/2026\/05\/07\/choose-your-own-auto-body-shop-nj\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Choose My Own Auto Body Shop After an Accident in New Jersey?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Yes. If you were in an accident in New Jersey, you generally have the right to choose your own licensed auto body shop.<\/p>\n

Your insurance company may recommend a repair shop, but that does not mean you are required to use it. New Jersey law says an insurer cannot deny your right to select an auto body repair shop for a covered vehicle, as long as the shop meets the applicable requirements.<\/p>\n

So if you want your vehicle repaired by Golden Touch Auto Body in Newark, NJ, you can choose to bring it here.<\/p>\n

Your Insurance Company Can Recommend a Shop, But You Make the Choice<\/h2>\n

After an accident, your insurance company may give you a list of preferred shops. These are often called network shops, preferred repair shops, or direct repair program shops.<\/p>\n

There is nothing automatically wrong with using one. But the important point is simple: the insurance company can recommend a shop, not force you into one.<\/p>\n

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance also explains that you can choose your own licensed repair shop, and the insurer must try to reach an agreed repair price with that shop.<\/p>\n

If someone tells you that you \u201cmust\u201d use the insurance company\u2019s shop, slow down and ask questions. Get the details in writing. Then talk to the repair shop you actually trust.<\/p>\n

Why Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop Matters<\/h2>\n

This is not just about convenience. The shop you choose can affect the quality of the repair, how hidden damage is handled, and how clearly the insurance claim is documented.<\/p>\n

After an accident, damage is not always visible from the outside. A bumper may look like the main issue, but there could also be damage behind it to brackets, sensors, reinforcement bars, lights, or structural parts.<\/p>\n

That is why a proper collision repair shop does more than write a quick estimate. It inspects the vehicle, documents damage, reviews the insurance estimate, and submits supplements when additional damage is found.<\/p>\n

Golden Touch Auto Body provides collision repairs, frame straightening, suspension repairs, windshield repairs, fender and bumper repairs, dent removal, OEM parts installation, and help working with insurance claims.<\/p>\n

What If the Insurance Estimate Is Lower Than the Shop\u2019s Estimate?<\/h2>\n

This happens often.<\/p>\n

The first insurance estimate may only include visible damage. Once the vehicle is taken apart, the body shop may find additional damage that was not included in the original estimate.<\/p>\n

When that happens, the shop may submit a supplement to the insurance company. A supplement is a request to approve additional repairs based on newly discovered damage.<\/p>\n

This is a normal part of the collision repair process. It does not automatically mean anything is wrong. It just means the original estimate may not have captured everything needed to repair the vehicle properly.<\/p>\n

Do I Need Permission to Bring My Car to Golden Touch Auto Body?<\/h2>\n

You should report the accident to your insurance company and open a claim. But you do not need the insurance company to choose the body shop for you.<\/p>\n

To make the process easier, bring:<\/p>\n