Can I Use My Own Body Shop (Central Texas Addition)
- Mitch Buhr

- Jul 12
- 2 min read
If you’ve been in a car accident around Copperas Cove, Killeen, Temple, or Waco, chances are your insurance company immediately suggested a “preferred” or “approved” shop.
Let’s clear this up right now:
✅ You have the legal right to choose your own body shop in Texas.
You are not required to use any shop the insurance company suggests.
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🔧 Why This Matters to You
At Nexus Claim Services, we help vehicle owners every day who didn’t know their rights and got steered into shops that work for the insurer — not them.
Here’s the truth:
It’s your vehicle.
It’s your claim.
It’s your right to choose the repair shop that will repair your vehicle properly and safely.
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⚠️ Why Insurers Push Their “Preferred” Shops
Insurers have contracts with these shops.
Their goal? Control repair costs and speed up cycle times.
That often means:
Using non-OEM parts (aftermarket, salvage, imitation)
Skipping OEM-required procedures like ADAS calibrations
Pressuring shops to repair when replacement is required
That benefits the insurance company — not you.
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🛠️ Independent Body Shops Work for YOU
The best independent collision repair shops in Central Texas:
Follow manufacturer (OEM) repair standards
Protect your vehicle’s safety, performance, and value
Provide warranties independent of any insurer
Document all repairs so you can submit proper proof for payment
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📍 Local keywords to search for a body shop:
Auto body shop Copperas Cove
Killeen collision repair
Temple TX auto body repair
Waco TX body shop
Choose your own body shop Texas
Texas right to choose repair facility
OEM repairs Texas
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🔥 What to Say When Your Insurer Pushes Back
If your adjuster says “we can’t guarantee repairs if you use your own shop” — remind them:
> “Texas law gives me the right to select my own repair facility. I am exercising that right. My chosen shop will warranty their work directly to me.”
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👊 Bottom Line for Central Texas Drivers
👉 You can absolutely use the body shop you trust — not the one your insurance prefers.
👉 Independent shops follow the manufacturer’s rules, not the insurance company’s shortcuts.
👉 You’re protecting your vehicle’s safety, value, and your family.
Need a recommendation for a trusted local shop that works for YOU, not your insurer?
📞 Call us at (254) 441-7826 or 📧 email mitch@nexus-claims.com
We’re right here in Central Texas to help you navigate this process.





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