What Insurance “In Network” Really Means For Your Repair

“Preferred shop” sounds like a compliment until you look at what it can really mean for your car. We pull back the curtain on insurance “in-network” collision repair programs and explain why a shop might reject DRP agreements even when they promise a steady flow of work. If you’ve ever felt pushed toward a specific body shop after an accident, this conversation gives you the words, facts, and confidence to protect your repair.

We talk through how DRP contracts can shape repair decisions, from “most cost-effective parts” to labor rate caps and unpaid procedures. Megan shares why OEM repair standards and modern vehicle design make parts choice and proper procedures non-negotiable, especially with today’s sensors, tight tolerances, and safety systems. We also cover why counterfeit aftermarket parts and unknown-history salvage parts can create real risks in fit, performance, and long-term durability. 

You’ll hear practical guidance for navigating an insurance claim without getting misled by “guarantee” talk. We explain who actually stands behind repair warranties, what a reputable collision repair shop should offer, and why your right to choose matters. If you’re in Colorado, you can pick the repair facility you trust, not the one you’re told to use. 

If this helped, subscribe for more straight answers about collision repair, share this with a friend who’s dealing with a claim, and leave a review with the biggest question you still have about choosing a body shop.

To learn more about Ozzie's Body Shop visit:
https://www.OzziesBodyShop.com
Ozzie's Body Shop 
5280 N. Garfield Ave.
Loveland, Colorado 80538
970-667-7849 

Transcript

Welcome To The Body Shop Show

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Welcome to Crash Course, the Aussies Body Shop Show, where bent metal mystery noises and uh-oh moments meet Northern Colorado's finest collision repair center. Hosted by Megan Mueller, co-owner and CEO of Ozzy's Body Shop, an OEM certified and authorized collision repair facility that's been getting families safely back on the road since 1967. From fender benders to full-on frame repairs. Insurance questions to will this ever look right again? Megan's here to explain it all in plain English. With a little grease, a little grace, and a lot of art. Because around here, the motto's simple. To be the best, you gotta be the best. And your car deserves nothing less. Let's pull into the shop and get started.

SPEAKER_01 0:57

A lot of drivers assume preferred means better. But the truth behind those insurance networks might surprise you. Welcome everyone. I'm Melanie Winter, co-host and producer here in the studio with Megan Mueller, co-owner and CEO of Aussies Body Shop. Megan, how's the day treating you? Hey, I'm doing well. How are you? I'm good. Thanks. It's great to be here with

What “In Network” Really Means

SPEAKER_01 1:20

you today. So, Megan, to kick things off, can you explain what it really means when a shop is labeled in network preferred and why Aussies chooses not to operate under those agreements?

SPEAKER_02 1:31

Yeah. So in network um DRP direct repair programs, sometimes they're going to be called like a preferred shop or a select service shop or a partner shop, or those are the names that the insurance companies will call those shops. What they are is they've entered into a contract with the insurance company that for in exchange for um them pushing the vehicle owners to the shop, the shop will go ahead and um you know use quote unquote most cost effective parts. Um they won't charge for certain certain operations. Um and and then they'll cap like their labor rates. Um and um yeah, so basically it's a partner shop is gonna be a shop that's offering a discount to the insurance company, is ultimately what that means. Um DRP agreements really started, I'm gonna say somewhere around the 80s, and they were at first like the really good insurance companies would partner with the really good shops. So your scores with your in-network provider or whatever with your contract, um, they hold you to a lot of scores. And a lot of those were based on you know customer experience, and um, there were agreements that you had to do a certain amount of training to be on the program and that type of stuff for the for the technicians. Um we actually we were an in-network provider for some of the major insurance companies for probably 15 or 20 years.

Why Aussies Left DRP Programs

SPEAKER_02 3:08

And I'm gonna say it was around probably 2019, 2020, somewhere around there. We just started finding that like there was absolutely no way to provide our vehicle owners with a safe and proper repair and still be a network. Like there was just those two things cannot connect unless you're gonna do a bunch of work for free. And technicians and businesses don't typically do that. So um the choice was to either not do the right thing um for the vehicles and the vehicle owners um and stay on the program or to go ahead and drop those programs. So we made that move and um I I've never regretted it.

SPEAKER_01 3:49

Yeah, and so what are some examples of situations where in-network rules might conflict with OEM

Parts And Standards That Collide

SPEAKER_01 3:56

repair standards?

SPEAKER_02 3:58

Yeah, so typically in most of those contracts, um, you're like I said, you're gonna be agreeing to use what are called quote unquote the most cost-effective parts. These are parts that um are either counterfeit aftermarket, not made by your original manufacturer, or they're from a junkyard from a vehicle that was, you know, likely in a total loss accident. Um, and you don't know how that energy affected those parts. You don't know how long it's just been sitting and routing in the junkyard. Um, and the OEMs all have position statements about the fact that they don't want those parts used, um, especially the aftermarket counterfeit ones. Um they really don't want those ones used because with the way that vehicles are designed now and all of the sensors and all of the things that they're gonna be reading through, like the mill gauge thickness is not the same, they don't fit the same, they just don't look right. Um and so that's that's probably one of the main things. Um, and then the other thing is gonna be, you know, technicians are going to be paid on what's called a flagged hour typically at the body shops that are in network. So those technicians are going to be paid to get the job done as quickly as possible, not necessarily do it the correct way.

SPEAKER_01 5:11

And and so then how does staying independent allow Aussies to advocate more effectively for the customer?

How Independence Protects Repairs

SPEAKER_02 5:18

Yeah. Um I mean it's it's really kind of the only way to be able to do it, in my opinion. Um we are a highly certified shop. So, you know, certified with Lexus and BMW and um Audi and Volkswagen and Rivian, um, and then also like GM, Nissan, Infinity for just a lot of them. And all of them have specific requirements for how they want the vehicle repaired. There's no way you would be able to meet the requirements that the OEMs want for how they want the vehicles repaired and still be a network.

Insurance Claims And Warranty Myths

SPEAKER_01 5:53

And so do customers ever worry that choosing a non-network shop will affect their claim? And if so, how do you reassure them?

SPEAKER_02 6:00

Yeah, um, especially like when you initially make a claim, when a person initially makes a claim, a lot of times um the insurance company is gonna use a lot of misleading statements like, you know, if you go to an in-network shop, then we're gonna guarantee the repairs. Um, if you, you know, go to an in-network shop, you're not gonna owe any money and um you know, they'll take care of everything. Um when the truth is, is that you know shops are the ones that actually honor the warranties. So like we offer a lifetime warranty on body working parts, eight years on paint. It's better than an OEM origin. Like when you buy a brand new car, it's it's gonna be a longer body warranty than than what you would receive on a brand new car. And any good, reputable shop is gonna guarantee their work. Um, so it really has nothing to do with that in-network thing. And even when, like, let's say you did you did have concerns of your work at the in-network shop, um, they're still gonna tell you to go back to the shop. So it's it's just kind of a gimmicky statement. Um, but it does mislead people um and it does drive them towards those facilities. Um, another thing that they've really that insurance companies, some of the really big insurance companies have started doing is they've started telling vehicle owners that if they choose an out-of-network shop, that they could be held liable for like all of these costs. Um, and really that's their obligation is to fulfill the policy. So it doesn't really matter which shop you go to.

SPEAKER_01 7:32

And so what's one thing you wish every driver understood about the right to choose the repair facility they trust?

Your Right To Choose A Shop

SPEAKER_02 7:40

Yeah, um especially in the state of Colorado, you have the right to choose whatever repair facility you want. So I really encourage people to, you know, maybe go to a few facilities, call a few facilities, look at what their training is, look at, you know, who's how they're going to repair your vehicle, um, and make the best decision for you. Um not necessarily where you've been pushed to go.

SPEAKER_01 8:05

Well, Megan, thank you for breaking that down so clearly. We appreciate your insights, and we'll see you next time. Great. Thanks so much.

Closing And How To Reach Us

SPEAKER_00 8:17

You've been listening to Crash Course, the Aussies Body Shop show with Megan Mueller, serving auto owners all across northern Colorado with certified family-owned collision care. If your vehicle's had a rough day, or you just want repairs done right the first time. For more information, visit OzzyBodyShop.com or call 970-667-7849. Ozzy's Body Shop. To be the best, you gotta be the best. On the road and in the repair bay. Until next time, drive safe. And if life dents it, you know where to send it.