Short answer: no. In Ontario, you choose where your vehicle gets repaired. Your insurer can recommend a shop, and many will recommend one quickly and confidently, but the decision is yours. FSRA's guidance is straightforward on this point. As long as the repair estimate is approved, you can have the work done at the shop of your choice.
We bring this up because the moment after a collision is exactly when that choice gets blurry. You're rattled, you're on the phone with a claims line, and someone helpful suggests a shop that can "take you today." That suggestion is allowed. Treating it as your only option is the part to push back on.
Why insurers steer toward certain shops
Most insurers run what's called a Direct Repair Program. These are shops the insurer has an arrangement with, often involving agreed pricing and faster file handling. There's nothing illegal about it, and some of those shops do good work. The thing to understand is what the arrangement is built around: cost and speed for the insurer. That can mean pressure toward used or aftermarket parts, and a first estimate written lean, with the expectation that the shop will request more later. None of that is automatically bad. It's just not written with your car's resale value or your manufacturer's repair standards as the first priority.
The phrase you'll see in your policy is parts of "like kind and quality." For a newer vehicle, that usually means new manufacturer parts. For an older one, your insurer may approve used or aftermarket parts instead. If the extent of damage or the right parts are ever in dispute, that's a conversation to have with your adjuster, and a good shop will have it for you.
Why a certified shop is worth the extra step
A manufacturer-certified repair is not a marketing badge. It means the shop has the training, the tools, and access to the procedures the automaker actually requires for that vehicle, down to how a panel is bonded or how a sensor is recalibrated. On a modern car packed with aluminum structures, high-strength steel, and driver-assist sensors, following those procedures is the difference between a car that looks fixed and a car that is fixed. Our certifications across brands exist for that reason, and our repair process is built around them.
How to hold your ground without a fight
You don't need to argue. You need to be clear. Tell the claims rep where you want the car repaired and ask them to note it on the file. You can say you've chosen a manufacturer-certified shop and want OEM repair procedures followed. If the estimate needs sorting, let the shop and the adjuster handle the back-and-forth, including any supplement for damage that only shows up once the car is apart. That's normal, and it's our job, not yours. Our insurance partners page shows the companies we already work with, and our claims guide covers the paperwork end to end.
If you've been in a collision and want the repair done properly the first time, book an estimate or contact us. Bring the claim number if you have one, and we'll take it from there.
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage and parts terms vary by policy, so confirm the specifics with your insurer or FSRA.
