This is Post 3 in our hail damage series for Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Burr Ridge, La Grange, Hodgkins, Willowbrook, Oak Brook, and Brookfield drivers. [Missed Post 2? Read why proper PDR lighting matters more than a driveway inspection.]
If you’ve filed a hail damage claim, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some version of this: “If you don’t use one of our preferred shops, you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket.” It’s one of the most common things drivers hear after a hailstorm — and it’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of the claims process.
What “Preferred Shop” Actually Means
Insurance companies maintain lists of shops they’ve partnered with — often called Direct Repair Programs (DRPs). These partnerships can offer real conveniences: faster claim processing, streamlined paperwork, sometimes a guaranteed timeline. That part is true and worth acknowledging.
What’s less clear to most drivers is that “preferred” is not the same as “required.”
Your Right to Choose
Illinois law protects your right to choose your own repair shop — insurers cannot force you into using a specific one. If you feel pressured or told otherwise, you can contact the Illinois Department of Insurance for guidance on your rights as a policyholder.
This matters especially for hail damage, where the type of repair makes a real difference. A shop that specializes daily in Paintless Dent Repair will typically evaluate and handle hail damage differently than a general collision center that only occasionally deals with hail claims.
About the “You’ll Pay the Difference” Claim
Here’s what’s actually true: estimates are negotiable, and supplements are a normal, expected part of the hail claims process — not a sign that something went wrong. If your chosen shop finds additional damage once the vehicle is inspected under proper PDR lighting (see Post 2), submitting a supplemental estimate to the insurer is standard practice, not an unusual request.
If an insurer’s initial estimate is lower than your chosen shop’s estimate, that’s a starting point for a conversation — not necessarily a bill you’re stuck paying. A shop experienced in insurance communication can walk you through that process.
At What The Hail Auto Dent Repair, our goal is to provide repairs to our customers at zero dollars out of pocket. Obviously the insurance companies try their best not to pay the full requested amount. They use benchmarking strategies to reduce repair costs by comparing costs of used parts replacements in order to pay a smaller bill, so we are left with no other choice, but accept their prices.
Why the Deductible Question Comes Up
Many preferred/DRP shops require the customer to pay their full deductible as part of the agreement with the insurer. Independent PDR specialists are often more flexible here, and many will work with you directly on deductible arrangements — which is worth asking about upfront, regardless of which shop you choose.
What to Ask Before You Decide
“Am I required to use this shop, or is it a recommendation?”
“What happens if my chosen shop’s estimate is higher — how does the supplement process work?”
“Does this shop have in-house PDR technicians, or is that work outsourced?”
“What’s your policy on deductible assistance?”
Coming Up Next in This Series
In our next post, we’ll dig into another myth worth unpacking: “Preferred shops are always better.” We’ll look at why experience — not just being on a list — is what actually determines repair quality.
About What The Hail Auto Dent Repair
What The Hail Auto Dent Repair, located at 2325 Wisconsin Ave, Downers Grove, IL, works directly with insurers on estimates and supplements, and we’re happy to walk you through your options — no pressure, no obligation. Our technicians are required to have a minimum of six years of proven PDR experience.
Contact us today for a free estimate — no strings attached.