“What is steering? Steering is a deceptive concept of salesmanship, whereas someone is coerced, directed, pushed or driven to use a specific service provider because the recommender derives monetary consideration, kickbacks, special privilege, economic savings etc. as a result for such activity. Consumers are often led into undesired purchases and making decisions for products and services they later regret because they were steered towards them by design.”
http://www.yourvehicleyourchoice.com/what_is_steering.html
http://www.yourvehicleyourchoice.com/what_is_steering.html
So often when you have an auto accident, the insurance company will send out their adjuster to assess the damage, and then “guide” you to their shop where all the repairs will be done. What may seem like a convenience is actually a business relationship between the insurance company and the repair shop to give them the best price for the work, but not always the best work for you.
You should know that in Pennsylvania and many other states,you do not have to use the repair shop which is recommended by the insurance company, whether it be your own insurance company or the company which insures the person who caused the damage to your vehicle. In Pennsylvania you have the right to have your vehicle restored to the condition it was in prior to the accident which caused the damage. This should include the use of O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts in some situations. Here is an excerpt from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website:
Your insurance company is required to pay the amount necessary to return the motor vehicle to its same condition just prior to the damage in question. At your request, you may obtain information from the insurance company regarding repair facilities within a reasonable distance of where the motor vehicle is located and where work will be performed in accordance with the written appraisal. You are not required to use any specific repair shop, but can choose the repair shop you trust.
Excerpted from "Your Guide to Auto Insurance Premiums" - Page 3
And this:
If the vehicle you own has been damaged, the decision of where the vehicle is to be repaired is yours. No insurer, adjuster, appraiser or agent shall require that repairs be made at a specific repair facility.
A few more informational web pages are available below:
http://www.crawfordsac.com/consumers.html
http://www.pctg.org/consumer.html
http://www.stopsteering.com/
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/auto_insurance/9187
You should know that in Pennsylvania and many other states,you do not have to use the repair shop which is recommended by the insurance company, whether it be your own insurance company or the company which insures the person who caused the damage to your vehicle. In Pennsylvania you have the right to have your vehicle restored to the condition it was in prior to the accident which caused the damage. This should include the use of O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts in some situations. Here is an excerpt from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website:
Your insurance company is required to pay the amount necessary to return the motor vehicle to its same condition just prior to the damage in question. At your request, you may obtain information from the insurance company regarding repair facilities within a reasonable distance of where the motor vehicle is located and where work will be performed in accordance with the written appraisal. You are not required to use any specific repair shop, but can choose the repair shop you trust.
Excerpted from "Your Guide to Auto Insurance Premiums" - Page 3
And this:
If the vehicle you own has been damaged, the decision of where the vehicle is to be repaired is yours. No insurer, adjuster, appraiser or agent shall require that repairs be made at a specific repair facility.
Excerpted from "Insurance Tips for Pennsylvania Consumers" - Page 2. The source of this can be found in Purdon’s Statutes, Title 63, Chapter 22B, §861(d), also known as the Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraisers Act, which states as follows:
(d) No appraiser or his employer shall require that repairs be made in any specified repair shop. http://www.pctg.org/MVPDAA%20-%20Law.pdf
A few more informational web pages are available below:
http://www.crawfordsac.com/consumers.html
http://www.pctg.org/consumer.html
http://www.stopsteering.com/
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/auto_insurance/9187
If you should have property damage to your vehicle, refer to this article and the links provided to educate yourself as to your options for repair.
Don't let yourself be steered in the wrong direction!!!
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