Don’t Let Your Insurance Company Steer You Wrong
Why Trust B & B Auto Body
At B & B Auto Body, our claim, and our aim, is to be the “The Best Body Shop in Sarasota.” We know that is a big claim – but small goals are of little value. We believe we are the best body shop in Sarasota for a number of reasons, but the primary reason customers return to our body shop is trust.
What Is Insurance Steering?
Insurance steering is when your insurer pressures you to use their “preferred” shop. It’s not a helpful suggestion – it’s a cost-cutting tactic. Preferred Shop Program or Direct Repair Program (DRP) shops accept discounted labor rates and use cheap aftermarket parts in exchange for more business. The result? Rushed repairs, hidden damage, and compromised safety.
In Florida, insurance steering is illegal – yet it happens every day.
They’ll tell you:
- “That shop isn’t on our list.”
- “We won’t guarantee the work.”
- “You’ll have to pay the difference.”
All of these statements are either false statements or illegal threats.
Florida Law Protects You From Insurance Steering
Florida explicitly bans insurance steering to protect consumers. Under Florida Statutes 626.9541 & 627.7291:
- You have the absolute right to choose ANY repair shop.
- The insurer cannot pressure or require you to use their “preferred” shop.
- The insurer cannot threaten to deny your claim or reduce coverage.
- The insurer cannot suggest that repairs will not be guaranteed or will cost more if done outside their network.
- The insurer cannot force aftermarket or imitation parts unless they are proven equal to OEM.
If an insurer implies delays, extra costs, or lack of coverage for using a non-network shop, that is illegal under Florida law. They may recommend shops, but the choice is yours.
What “Preferred” Shops Agree to Do for the Insurance Company
They Give the Insurer
- Deeply discounted labor rates
- Aftermarket / imitation parts
- Photo-only estimates
- Control of the repair
You Get
- Rushed repairs
- Parts that don’t fit right & fail early
- Hidden damage left unrepaired
- Compromised safety
The Real Danger of Insurance Steering
Steering isn't just dishonest – it’s also dangerous. Cut-rate DRP shops using imitation parts and rushed methods result in vehicles that look fixed but aren’t, which can lead to disaster.
Vehicles repaired with cheap parts and shortcuts are more likely to:
- Lose structural strength – which could be deadly in the next crash
- Have airbags that don’t deploy properly
- Suffer brake or steering failure
Your family’s safety is worth more than the insurance company’s bottom line.
B & B Auto Body uses the very latest in collision repair and refinishing technology, including frame straightening, temperature-controlled painting enclosures and Glasurit Automotive Paint for exceptional color matching. Our ASE-Certified technicians can handle everything from simple dent repairs to complete collision repair to restore your vehicle to its pre-loss condition. All our work is guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle.
Why Customers Choose B & B Auto Body
- We work for YOU, not the insurance company.
- We bill directly with all Florida carriers.
- We use only OEM or OEM-equivalent parts.
- Always full in-person inspections, never just photos.
- Lifetime warranty on all repairs.
- We fight steering for you - and we win.
Ready to Take Back Control?
- Call us right now → (941) 924-4342
- Bring us your estimate! We’ll show you the difference and stand with you against steering.
B&B Auto Body is Sarasota’s independent, family-owned shop that puts safety and honesty first.
Report steering violations to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) at 1-877-693-5236 or myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers.