Your right to choose your repair shop
After a collision, many drivers are told to take their vehicle to a shop the insurer prefers. A preferred shop or direct repair program can make the paperwork faster, and that is a real convenience. What it is not is a requirement. The choice of where your vehicle is repaired belongs to you.
If you feel pushed toward a shop you did not choose, you can say no. A good shop will handle the claim either way.
My insurer pushed me to a different shop, but the choice was mine.
What direct compensation property damage means
Direct compensation property damage, or DCPD, is the part of Ontario auto insurance that covers damage to your vehicle when another driver is at fault. Under DCPD you deal with your own insurer for the repair, not the other driver's. It is called direct compensation because your own policy compensates you directly.
What changed with the SABS update on July 1, 2026
Ontario updated its accident benefits framework, the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, with changes that took effect on July 1, 2026. The update moves parts of the system toward a first-payer model, which affects how certain benefits are handled after an accident.
For most collision repair claims the core point has not changed: your vehicle repair is handled through your property damage coverage, and you still choose your shop. If your claim involves injury benefits, confirm the current details with your insurer or FSRA, because those rules are the ones the July 2026 update touched most.
OEM vs aftermarket parts: what you can ask for
OEM parts are made by your vehicle's manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are made by other companies. Insurers often prefer aftermarket to control cost, and you are allowed to ask about the parts on your estimate and to request OEM parts. In some cases OEM parts cost more and the difference is discussed as part of your claim.
They wanted me to pay the difference for OEM parts, so I asked what my options were.
How to start your claim
Report the accident to your insurer, get a claim number and then bring your vehicle to the shop you choose. We handle claims with major Canadian insurers and hold direct repair program relationships with Travelers, Unifund and Western Assurance, so we can coordinate the approval and the paperwork for you. You can also read our guide to ADAS calibration and modern repairs before you drop off.
Ontario collision claim FAQ
Can my insurance company force me to use a specific body shop in Ontario?
No. In Ontario you have the right to choose your own collision repair shop. Your insurer can recommend a preferred or direct repair shop, but the final choice of where your vehicle is repaired is yours.
What is direct compensation property damage?
Direct compensation property damage, or DCPD, is the Ontario coverage that pays for damage to your vehicle when another driver is at fault. You deal with your own insurer for the repair rather than the at-fault driver's insurer.
What is the SABS change that took effect July 1, 2026?
Ontario updated its Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule effective July 1, 2026, moving parts of the accident benefits system toward a first-payer model. It mainly affects injury benefits. Your vehicle repair is still handled through your property damage coverage and you still choose your shop. Confirm injury benefit details with your insurer or FSRA.
Can I ask for OEM parts on my repair?
Yes. You can ask about the parts listed on your estimate and request OEM parts made by your vehicle's manufacturer. In some cases OEM parts cost more and the difference is discussed as part of your claim.
Does choosing my own shop cost me more?
Choosing your own shop does not remove your coverage. Your claim is handled the same way. Costs depend on your policy, your deductible and the parts decisions on your repair, not on whether the shop was your insurer's preferred choice.
Which insurers does Supreme Collision Centre work with?
We handle claims with major Canadian insurers and hold direct repair program relationships with Travelers, Unifund and Western Assurance. You can bring us a claim from any insurer because the choice of shop is yours.
Start your estimate with a shop you chose
Start a free estimate online or call the location nearest you and we will handle the claim from there.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, auto insurance and SABS
- Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)
- Insurance Bureau of Canada, direct compensation property damage
