Your Rights & Our OEM Standards

What Are Your Legal Rights for Collision Repair in California?

If you were recently involved in an accident, your immediate priority is restoring your vehicle to safe, pre-loss condition using uncompromised factory standards.

Navigating insurance claims, body shop recommendations, and policy language can feel overwhelming. Many vehicle owners assume insurance companies, dealerships, and repair shops all operate under the same rules—but the reality is that collision repair standards vary drastically from shop to shop.

While insurance carriers often push high-volume solutions designed to cut costs, California law grants you clear, absolute control over who repairs your vehicle and how it gets restored. At Master Auto Craft, we act as your direct advocate to ensure your vehicle is repaired to original manufacturer specifications without shortcuts.

1. You Have the Absolute Legal Right to Choose Your Repair Shop

California Insurance Code § 758.5(a) explicitly states that an insurer cannot require you to have your vehicle repaired at a specific repair facility.

  • The DRP Trap: Insurance companies frequently steer policyholders toward their preferred "Direct Repair Program" (DRP) shops. DRP shops sign contractual agreements with insurers to meet strict cost-containment caps and rapid turnarounds.

  • The Reality: Fast, capped-budget repairs often force technicians to skip critical scanning steps, reuse worn hardware, or bypass complex factory procedures.

  • Your Protection: Under California Insurance Code § 758.5(b), if an insurer suggests a preferred shop, they are legally required to inform you in writing that you have the right to select any auto body repair shop of your choice.

2. You Have the Right to Demand OEM Parts & Factory Procedures

Modern luxury, European, and exotic vehicles are complex eco-systems of lightweight aluminum, carbon fiber, advanced radar sensors, and calibrated ADAS safety suites.

  • The Risk of Aftermarket Parts: Insurance adjusters routinely write estimates using generic aftermarket or salvaged parts to minimize their payout. Under 10 CCR § 2695.8(g) (California Code of Regulations), an insurer cannot require the use of non-OEM replacement crash parts unless those parts are equal in line for line quality, fit, and safety—and the consumer is explicitly notified in writing.

  • Why OEM Matters: Sub-standard aftermarket bumpers or panel alignments can misalign structural sensors, altering airbag deployment timing and adaptive cruise control.

  • Our Policy: We strictly utilize Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and follow vehicle-specific factory technical directives for every single repair.

3. You Are Entitled to Mandatory Disclosure & Written Itemization

Under California Business and Professions Code § 9884.9 and 10 CCR § 2695.8(f):

  • A repair facility must provide a detailed, written estimate before any work begins.

  • The facility and insurer must clearly disclose whether any non-OEM, reconditioned, or salvage parts are being used on your estimate.

  • You must give express written authorization before any additional work or teardown proceeds beyond the initial scope.

  • Public Notice: Posted Storage & Facility Rates In compliance with California Vehicle Code § 22524.5 and California Business and Professions Code § 9884.9, Master Auto Craft maintains a publicly posted facility rate schedule on site: • Standard Daily Storage Rate: $300.00 / day • Facility Provisions: Secure indoor, climate-controlled, high-value asset storage for luxury, European, and exotic platforms. • Accrual Terms: Per C.C.R. Title 16 § 3353(c) and Owens v. Pyeatt standards, storage charges accrue following teardown completion, authorized estimate delivery, or post-repair completion notification.

4. Your Repair Shop Should Be Your Advocate, Not the Insurer's

A true certified collision facility works for you, not the insurance company's bottom line.

At Master Auto Craft, we navigate the complex claims process on your behalf:

  • Pre & Post-Repair Diagnostic Scanning: Identifying hidden electronics DTC codes before and after paintwork.

  • Precision Color Chemistry: Utilizing our Axalta Acquire™ Quantum EFX spectrophotometer and Spies Hecker paint lines to match multi-stage factory coatings perfectly.

  • Post-Repair Inspections (PRI): If you received sub-par, unsafe work from a DRP or high-volume chain shop, we perform comprehensive Post-Repair Inspections to help document structural flaws, safety hazards, and diminished value claims.

Why Bay Area Drivers Trust Master Auto Craft

Located on California Drive in Burlingame, Master Auto Craft has served San Mateo County, Hillsborough, and the broader Peninsula since 2015.

Schedule Your Intake or Consultation

Don't let an insurance carrier dictate the safety or resale value of your vehicle. Contact our Burlingame team today for an expert consultation, out-of-network claim guidance, or a detailed estimate.

  • Direct Phone: (650) 389-2106

  • Location: 1019 California Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010

  • Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM