Your Insurer Recommends a Shop. You Choose One.
In Ontario, you have the right to choose the facility that repairs your vehicle. Insurers maintain preferred networks based on negotiated rates and may recommend one, but they cannot require you to use it, and choosing another shop does not reduce your coverage or your entitlement to a proper repair.
This page exists because the phrasing insurers use is easy to misread. "We'll get you booked in at our approved shop" sounds like a process, not a choice. It is a choice.
What a preferred network actually is
Preferred provider networks are commercial agreements. The shop gets volume; the insurer gets negotiated rates and faster cycle times. Nothing about that arrangement is improper — but its purpose is claim cost management, and claim cost management is not the same thing as the best outcome for your specific vehicle.
For hail in particular, the difference is stark. A general collision shop's default answer is to refinish the panels, because that is the trade they are set up for. A PDR specialist's answer is to remove the dents and keep your paint. Both produce a car that looks fixed. Only one keeps the factory finish.
How to exercise the choice
- Report the claim as normal and get your claim number
- When the shop is suggested, say: "I've chosen my repair facility — Precision Dent Repair."
- Give the adjuster our shop details; you do not need to justify the decision
- Bring the vehicle to us for a documented inspection and estimate
- We deal with the adjuster from there, including any supplement
- You pay only your deductible
Common pushback, and the answer
| What you may hear | The reality |
|---|---|
| "We can only guarantee work at our shops." | We warranty our own work. The insurer still pays the claim. |
| "It'll take longer if you go elsewhere." | PDR is usually days faster than a refinish repair. |
| "Their rates aren't approved." | Estimates are written to standard formats and negotiated normally. |
| "You'll have to pay the difference." | Not for a properly documented repair to pre-loss condition. |
What this looks like on a real vehicle
Every photo is a Precision Dent Repair job from our Burlington or Hamilton shop. See the full gallery →
What customers say
"When my vehicle was recently damaged by a severe hailstorm, it ended up with a significant number of dents across the body. After contacting my insurance company, I was initially referred to a general body shop. However, since this was strictly dent-related damage, I wanted to find a shop that truly specializes in paintless dent repair. That's when I came across Precision Dent Burlington."
"I had my brand new car destroyed by hail damage back in August. The car was covered in dents in pretty much all areas — roof, hood, rails, doors, trunk, quarter panel, fenders. I researched a few places and even went to another highly reviewed shop to get an estimate. The other shop started mentioning paint and parts."
"Andreas and his team were great! Very quick and transparent! Andreas was especially helpful in dealing with my difficult insurance in the process of getting the repair approved. Despite heavy hail damage, the car looks brand new now!"
"Great experience dealing with these guys. Very friendly and accommodative and their work is very impressive. Had them repair two BMW's with hail damage and they both looked new when they were done."
"I had several dents in my Yukon Denali after a major hail storm. Thanks to the efficient service of Precision Dent Repair, my vehicle looks as good as new again. I would highly recommend this company!"
"Great experience from start to finish, they accommodated my schedule and took care of everything through insurance. Easy process and repaired a ton of damage from a hail storm. Highly recommend."
Five consecutive award years
Consumer Choice Award winners for paintless dent repair, plus ARC-certified technicians at both shops.
ARC-Certified Technicians
Consumer Choice Award Winner
Recognized for outstanding customer service & technical proficiency
Common questions
Can my insurance company force me to use their body shop?
No. In Ontario you choose the repair facility. Their network is a recommendation attached to a rate agreement, not a term of your coverage.
Will my claim be denied if I use a different shop?
No. Your entitlement is to have the vehicle returned to pre-loss condition. Where that work happens is your decision.
What if I already dropped the car at their shop?
You can still move it, ideally before work begins. Tell the adjuster you are relocating the vehicle to your chosen facility.
Do you warranty your work?
Yes. Our repairs are warrantied — the metal is returned to its original shape, so a correctly finished repair does not revert.
Related pages
Two shops. Same craft.
Burlington
Burlington, ON L7L 5Z7
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hamilton
Hamilton, ON L8W 3N7
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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