Posted on Aug 31, 2022
If you get in a car crash, beware of ‘steering’

Car insurance advertisements may lead you to think that your insurance company really cares about you. Some carriers even boast the advantages of letting the carrier take care of everything for you. When it comes to auto repairs, however: beware.

If you let the insurance company tell you where to go or how to fix your vehicle, you’re likely doing yourself a serious disservice.

Following an accident, no insurance company should be steering you to an auto body shop. Steering is an industry term, but it refers to the pressure an insurance company puts on a consumer to go to the repair shop the insurance company selects. Mandatory steering is illegal in Connecticut. But insurers are not prohibited from pressuring consumers into doing things their way. Many carriers steer aggressively and systematically.

Why do insurers do this so frequently and how do they get around the law?

First, insurers steer because it saves them money. Oftentimes, the insurance company has a private contract with preferred repair shops, with the understanding that that shop will agree to work for a discounted price and provide other concessions designed to save the insurer money, often at your expense.

Many repairers refuse these arrangements because contractual pressures to lower costs often come at the expense of quality standards and ethical obligations to the shop’s customers. Not all insurance company direct repair programs are bad and not all repair shops that work on direct repair contracts are bad shops. But the dynamics presented by these arrangements do not generally line up well for vehicle owners. Based on conversations with licensed repairers for well over a decade, I’ve come to learn that insurer pressures to discount repair costs can, and often do, compromise quality. That unfairly and unknowingly hurts consumers the most.

When an insurance company steers you to a repair shop of its choice, the replacement parts put on your car may be substandard, imitation, or inferior to original equipment manufacturer parts as recommended by the manufacturer. Changing the quality and structure of your vehicle could alter the way your vehicle responds in a crash, and/or potentially could void your vehicle’s warranty. These consequences often would not actually materialize unless you were in another crash. If that were to occur, your vehicle would not protect you and your occupants the way it was designed to.

When selecting an auto body repair shop, make sure to ask whether the shop uses parts made by the original manufacturer, rather than knock-off parts. Depending on the age of your vehicle and the advice of your mechanic, you may want to request that all replacement parts come from the OEM — the original equipment manufacturer. For example: Ford parts for a Ford, Chevy parts for a Chevy. I would be wary of any repair shop or insurer pushing knock-off parts. They are cheaper for a reason.

The moral of this story is when an insurance company says, “Go here. Do it this way,” it’s generally not in your best interest.

To find a repair shop, I suggest checking with a friend or family member. If that proves unhelpful, I would next suggest checking with the Auto Body Association of Connecticut.

Remember, in Connecticut, it’s your car, it’s your choice where to have it repaired. In fact, insurance companies are actually required to tell you that. So, don’t be pressured into something you’ll regret. Protect yourself and your family by choosing the repair shop of your choice.

Attorney John M. Parese is a partner at the New Haven-based firm of Buckley Wynne & Parese. He can be reached at 203-776-2278 or [email protected].

Recent Case Results

    $9,000,000

    Serious Injury Settlement

    $7,500,000

    Racketeering and Fraud Judgment

    $6,400,000

    Serious Injury Verdict

    $4,600,000

    Wrongful Death Settlement

    $1,100,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $800,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $2,100,000

    Premise Liability Settlement

    $1,800,000

    Liquor Liability Judgment

    $1,500,000

    Police Liability Settlement

    $498,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $475,000

    Motor Vehicle Arbitration Award

    $350,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $950,000

    Legal Malpractice Settlement

    $4,850,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $250,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $650,000

    Wrongful Death Settlement

    $600,000

    Medical Malpractice Verdict

    $600,000

    Sexual Abuse Settlement

    $8,500,000

    Serious Injury Settlement

    $500,000

    Product Liability Settlement

    $385,000

    Product Liability Settlement

    $300,000

    Serious Injury Verdict

    $275,000

    Serious Injury Verdict

    $1,000,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

Client Reviews of Our Personal Injury Attorneys

    Friendly, professional and VERY responsive!

    Friendly, professional and VERY responsive!

    Attorney John Buckley was highly recommended to me by quite a few people and upon my first meeting to discuss my case, I knew immediately that I was in good hands. He took his time to explain everything to me in great detail and stayed in communication throughout my entire case. His staff was also extremely friendly, professional and VERY responsive! I actually never had to reach out about my case because they over-communicated with me from beginning to end. My accident was very unfortunate, but I’m extremely grateful I was working with Attorney Buckley through it all! I highly recommend this law firm!!!

    - Jamie B.

    Respectful, extremely knowledgeable, & understanding

    Respectful, extremely knowledgeable, & understanding

    Recently engaged BWP concerning a motor vehicle accident. From the initial consult, and continuing throughout the entire process, John Parese and the entire staff were respectful, extremely knowledgeable, understanding of my goals and supportive to work towards achieving the best possible outcome. It was a very seamless, friendly relationship and a firm that I would highly recommend to anyone.

    - Robert T.

    Couldn’t have been happier with the services I received!

    Couldn’t have been happier with the services I received!

    I contacted BWP in June 2019, after I was hit by a drunk driver. John Wynne was my attorney. I couldn’t have been happier with the services I received. Everyone I dealt with was very professional and made sure I had all the help I needed. I highly recommend this law firm.

    - Valerie

    Quick and consistent.

    Quick and consistent.

    John Buckley was quick and consistent in relaying information to me regarding litigation, and he and his staff were always very supportive of any requests I made. John’s experience and strategic expertise made the difference in dealing with the insurance company, and we achieved the best possible outcome thanks to his vigilance. Cannot recommend BWP highly enough!

    - Richard

    Thorough, caring, and patient.

    Thorough, caring, and patient.

    I don't have the words to describe how wonderful John Parese was to work with. He took my family and I under his wing during a difficult time. He was by our side for 3 years while I was treated. He was thorough, caring, and patient. He was always there to answer questions and made us feel that he was in our corner. John explained our options and walked us through the process many times. It was WAY outside of my comfort zone to go to litigation, but he believed in me and my case. He was phenomenal in court and I was very proud to be part of his team. We are forever thankful and would recommend him to anyone!

    - The Yanellis

    Kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

    Kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

    John Parese is an excellent attorney who provided care that was needed at an extremely difficult and a long period of time. He and his team are very dedicated and gave professional guidance in various aspects. I am very grateful for having received a degree of release for the painful accident, and trauma which was unfortunate and terrifying. Mr. Parese is very kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend his help to people in need.

    - Xueping Q.

    Two thumbs up!

    Two thumbs up!

    John Parese is an amazing attorney! He constantly checked in with me to make sure I was feeling better after my accident and gave me updates on where we were in the process. I never doubted that I was in good hands. Thank you John and also to your team! Two thumbs up!

    - Kristen R.

    Wonderful staff.

    Wonderful staff.

    Wonderful staff. They gave the impression that they really care for their clients. I will call on them again if I need in the future.

    - Kelly B.

    Excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients.

    Excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients.

    John has assisted me with several issues. He is an excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients. I was able to recover medically knowing John was fully handling the insurance and issues with my case. I will continue to use him in the future.

    - Danielle Q.

    Very professional and his team is wonderful!

    Very professional and his team is wonderful!

    Attorney Parese helped me with my car accident. He is very professional and his team is wonderful. I highly recommend his services for car accidents!!! Thank you John.

    - Walter P.