Who regulates body shops policies and rates?
 The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates motor vehicle repair shops in Florida. We contacted them about if there is a maximum hourly rate amount body shops or mechanics can charge either to a person personally paying for a car repairs or charge to an insurance company. The representative from their Bureau of Compliance responded no.

There is not a maximum dollar amount limit that a repair shop can charge as an hourly rate in Florida. The Division of Consumer Services notes that all policies (labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees, methods of payment, etc.) should be posted and/or explained to your satisfaction when you start a repair job with them.

How would I find out about a shop that shop is good shop to take my vehicle to?
Before you decide to bring your car in for any service or repair, you can call the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services toll-free hotline, 1-800-HELP-FLA, to check out that repair company's complaint history (if any).

In FL there is the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act in effect which requires anyone who, for compensation, engages in the repair of motor vehicles owned by other persons, to register biennially with the Department.

The Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act was created to assist consumers with matters relating to motor vehicle repair shops. The act applies to dealers of new and used cars, trucks and motorcycles; garages; service stations; self-employed persons; truck stops; and paint, body, brake, muffler, transmission, mobile repair and glass shops.

You can read more about the FL Motor Vehicle Repair Act and your consumer rights when getting a car repaired going on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' website.

If my car is being repaired due to damages sustained in an auto accident what are my rights?
According to the Florida Department of Financial Services (FLDFS), the insurance regulator for Florida State, you have the right, based upon your contract, to select the repair shop to repair your automobile after an accident which is in direct conflict with 2009 bill Right to Repair. In Right to Repair Act. you have right to your vehicle, not your insurance company! You have the right to choose an independent repair shop.

If your vehicle is sustained damage by some one else negligence or fault, your contact doesn't apply to you, nor the your insurance policy. An independent repair shop can assist you recover all your loses from other party insurance policy holder company!

Putting a claim against other party insurance policy always is the smart way to keep you insurance policy cast low.    

Should I take my car to recommended body (DRP) shop?
If you choose a repair shop recommended by the insurance company (DRP Shop), the insurance company usually will stand by the completed repairs. The insurance company must provide you with a copy of the repair shop estimate used to determine the settlement amount.

Ask the DRP Shop to give you a copy of the written estimate, before you authorize a repair. Make sure the DRP shop is not violating Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act by using After-the-Market, Recondition (RCP) or Light-Kind-Quality (LKQ Used) parts to repair your vehicle. It is not a bad idea to take your vehicle to an independent repair shop with the estimate and have that shop's appraisal take a look at it!

Why an independent shop name is not on my insurance company referred list?
In today's economy more and more shops are refusing to get on an insurance company referred list or not to be come a DRP shop. Because a repair shop to be on an insurance companies list they have to sign a contract with that particular insurance company to repair automobile under insurance company's repair policies. Insurance company's repair policy may includes repair a vehicle with used or low quality parts and paint material plus charge them les of the labor rates.  An insurance company would only have the shop name on the list who would repair a vehicle under that insurance company's repair policy not as would require by Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act. A smaller shop would work for their client's best interest and wants repeat client base then a large recommended (DRP) shop who just work for the insurance companies. 

Can I take my car to an independent body shop who's name is not on my insurance company list?
In State of Florida, it is against the law that an insurance company to force you to take your vehicle to one of the shop who's name is listed on insurance company list. But they can provide you the names of the body shops to choose one if you like. Unless you have signed a contract with your insurance company. An insurance company would say and do any thing  to sales you the one of the shop listed on their list. But you have the right to take your vehicle to any shop you wish to.

Why the estimate from an independent body shop is more then a DRP shop?
You may find that the written estimate provided by the insurance company or DRP Shop does not meet the written cast estimate provided to you by an independent repair shop. Most independent repair shops has their own policy not to use after-the-market or used parts if vehicle is under factory warranty and higher rate then DRP shops, some shop like Auto Body Unlimited, are writing Body Refinishing Labor @ $ 50.00 per hours, Mechanical Labor @ $ 90.00 per hours and high quality paint material @ $ 28.00.
In this case, your insurance company has three options:

1. Pay the difference
2. Negotiate an agreed upon amount with the repair shop or
3. ask you to choose a reputable repair shop that will repair the damages for the written estimate provided by the insurance company, if you like it! But they can't tell you to where and what shop! By forcing you to take your car to other Shop, insurance company Breaking the law by steering you to their DRP (Direct Repair Program) shop!

The insurance company must repair your automobile with parts equal in kind and quality the original parts. For example, today's vehicles have structural members made of high-strength, low-alloy steel. An accident may damage these structural members beyond a certain predetermined amount. If so, the repair work has to restore the structural integrity designed for the safety of the driver and passengers.

For more information on your rights if an insurance company is involved in the repairing of vehicle due to an auto accident you can contact the FLDFS for consumer help.