How do I get a free estimate?

Bring your vehicle to our auto body shop at 1 Laidlaw Blvd, Unit 5 in Markham, or email us a few clear photos along with your vehicle's make, model, and year. We'll get back to you with a no-obligation estimate.

Do I have to go through insurance to get a repair done?

No. We work with both insurance claims and private pay. If you'd rather handle the repair out of pocket, we'll give you competitive, honest pricing either way.

Do you offer a warranty on your repairs?

Yes, a Lifetime Guarantee on all repair and paint work. If something we fixed ever has an issue tied to our workmanship, bring it back and we'll make it right.

How long will my repair take?

It depends on the damage. Minor dent and scratch repairs are often done in a day or two. Collision repairs involving structural work and full paint refinishing take longer — we'll give you a realistic timeframe after assessing your vehicle.

Can you match my vehicle's original colour?

Yes, including metallic and pearl finishes. Our Chameleon Paint Match Process is built specifically for the colour matches other shops tend to get visibly wrong.

Can I choose Chipmaster even if my insurance company recommended a different shop?

Yes. In Ontario, you have the legal right to choose your own repair shop, regardless of which shop your insurer suggests. We work with all major insurance companies.

Do I need an appointment?

Call us at (905) 294-9222 or send a few clear photos for a free, no-obligation estimate. You can also book an appointment using the form above so we can schedule your repair.

Blog

Do You Have to Use Your Insurer’s Shop? Your Rights in Ontario

Posted by

Sadaf

October 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026

Written by: Sadaf, SEO and digital marketing specialist. Last updated: October 19, 2026.

You have just been in an accident, you have called your insurer, and someone has suggested a shop for the repair. It is a very common moment, and it raises a fair question. Can you choose your own auto body shop in Ontario, or are you stuck with the one your insurer names?

Short answer, you can choose. This guide explains what that means in plain words, how to let your insurer know, and what to compare before you pick a shop. It comes from the team at Chipmaster Markham, an independent auto body shop that has been repairing vehicles for drivers in Markham, Unionville and Thornhill since 2009.

Can I choose my own auto body shop in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario’s insurance regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), lists the right to choose a repair shop as one of your rights as an auto insurance consumer. Your insurer may suggest a preferred shop, but you can still pick your own. Tell your insurer which shop you are using.

That is not a loophole or a favour. It sits on the same FSRA list as your right to a reasonable repair of your damaged vehicle. We checked that page in October 2026.

Policies and claims differ, so please treat this as general information and not legal advice. If anything about your claim is unclear, your insurer or broker can explain your policy.

What is a preferred shop, and do you have to use one?

Many insurers keep a list of shops they work with. They may call them preferred or approved shops. Being handed a list can make the first few days feel easier, because someone has told you where to go.

A list is a suggestion. It does not take away your right to choose. If you already have a shop you trust, or a friend or neighbour has recommended one, you can ask your insurer to go ahead with that shop instead.

Why some drivers choose an independent shop

People pick a shop for different reasons, and none of them is wrong. These are the ones we hear most often.

They want to talk to the people doing the work. Chipmaster Markham is independent and owner run, so you deal with the shop directly.
They want paint that matches. Our Chameleon Paint Match Process looks at the real finish on your vehicle before we mix, so the new paint blends in.
They want clear warranty terms. Our workmanship and paint carry a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your vehicle. It does not cover normal wear and tear such as stone chips, it cannot be passed on to a new owner, and rust repairs are not covered.
They want a shop close to home. We repair vehicles for drivers from Markham, Unionville, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Stouffville and Toronto.

None of this means other shops cannot do good work. Get more than one estimate if you like, and choose the shop you feel comfortable with.

What choosing your own shop does not change

Choosing a shop is your decision, but the rest of your policy stays as written. Your coverage, your deductible and your responsibilities do not change. FSRA’s list also includes duties, such as telling your insurer promptly if you have been in an accident. So report the claim first, then talk about the shop.

How to tell your insurer you are using your own shop

Here is the usual order of events when you choose Chipmaster Markham.

Report the claim to your insurer as you normally would.
Tell your insurance company that the car is going to Chipmaster Markham.
We deal with the adjuster directly and invoice your insurer ourselves.
Once the claim is approved and the appraisal is done, you can drop your car off right away.
If we find extra damage during the repair, we send the insurer a supplement with photos and invoices. You do not need to do anything.
If you owe a deductible, you pay it to us when you pick up your vehicle.

Every insurer has its own process, so yours may ask for slightly different details along the way.

What to have ready when you call

Your claim number
The name of the insured driver
Your policy number
Your adjuster’s name and phone number
The date of the accident

If you do not have all of this yet, call us anyway. We can walk you through what is missing.

Questions to ask any shop before you decide

Can I see a written estimate with labour, parts and paint listed?
How will the paint be matched to my vehicle?
Who will deal with my insurer and the adjuster?
What does your warranty cover, and what does it leave out?
Will you tell me before any extra work is added?

A shop that answers these clearly is usually easy to work with.

Get a free estimate from Chipmaster Markham

Before and after: GMC Sierra tailgate and rear bumper dent repair at Chipmaster Markham — A GMC Sierra tailgate before and after repair at our Markham shop.

Our estimate is free and carries no obligation. The quickest way to start is to send a few clear photos of the damage along with your vehicle’s make, model and year. You can also call us on 905-294-9222 or bring the car to 1 Laidlaw Blvd, Unit 5, Markham, ON L3P 1W5.

We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and Sunday by appointment.

To learn more first, read about our collision repair in Markham, find out about our shop, or request your free estimate and we will take it from there.

Frequently asked questions

Can my insurer make me use its preferred shop?

FSRA lists choosing a repair shop as your right. Your insurer may suggest shops, but the decision is yours. If you feel pressured, you can raise it with your insurer, and FSRA also lists the right to register a complaint about your insurance company.

Should I tell my insurer which shop I have chosen?

Yes, it is a good idea. Telling your insurer which shop is repairing the car lets the claim and the adjuster be coordinated. At Chipmaster Markham we deal with the adjuster directly and invoice your insurer ourselves.

Do I pay a deductible if I choose my own shop?

Your deductible depends on your policy, which is why it helps to check with your insurer or broker. If you owe one, you pay it to us when you pick up your vehicle.

Can I get an estimate before I decide?

Yes. Our estimate is free and carries no obligation. Send a few clear photos with your vehicle’s make, model and year, or call us on 905-294-9222.

About the author: Sadaf is an SEO and digital marketing specialist who writes local search content for service businesses. She works with the Chipmaster Markham team to turn the questions customers ask every day into clear, practical guides.