About Your Rights

If you've recently been involved in a collision, it's important to know your rights as a car insurance policy holder. The Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Bill of Rights provides guidance in this area.

Do I have to use the collision shop my insurance company selects?

When you're involved in a car accident, you have the right to choose which collision center to send your car to. Texas state law says drivers cannot be coerced into using the collision center that their insurance company recommends.

Some insurance companies try to pressure customers into using certain collision shops, which is a practice that's called "steering." However, no matter what an insurer may imply, consumers have the right to choose a collision center where they know they'll receive the best quality work.

Why do insurance companies try to steer drivers to certain shops?

It saves them money.

When insurers try to pressure customers to use certain shops, it's typically because they have existing deals in place to get cheaper labor and discounts on parts and materials. Ultimately, "steering" benefits the insurer because it promotes their financial interests. It has little to do with the best interests of the customer.

What if the insurer says claims will take longer and that they cannot guarantee work from shops outside of their network?

These are some of the common ways in which insurance companies try to instill worry in customers and get them to settle on their own preferred shops. However, the truth is that body shops outside of their network may offer higher quality work and parts. In fact, many of the "preferred" shops that insurance companies work with use aftermarket parts rather than higher quality OEM parts because it cost less, and again, benefits them and the insurer financially.

In regard to claims, the Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Bill of Rights lays out strict deadlines. No matter which auto body shop in DFW you choose, your insurance company must approve or deny your claim within a set timeframe. If a claim is approved, they must also pay within a certain period of time. Any language indicating otherwise is inaccurate.

Why Choose Our Auto Body Shop in Mesquite, TX?

Trophy Collision Center works with all insurance companies, and we'll handle many of the communications with your insurer to ease the burden on you. We provide upfront estimates and never begin any repairs without your approval.

In addition, we proudly use genuine OEM parts, rather than cheaper alternative parts like many other shops. We're also an OEM-certified collision center for many brands and hold I-CAR Gold Class certification. Furthermore, we stand by the quality of our workmanship with a limited lifetime guarantee.

At our collision repair center in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we strive to deliver excellence every time, and we're proud of having a transparent approach that builds confidence in our customers. Please contact us or visit to get started on a free estimate. We look forward to serving you!