Steering happens when an insurance company coerces you, whether with veiled threats of no coverage or with longer repair times, to use one of their preferred repair shops. These shops either are owned by the insurer or offer vastly discounted rates to that specific company. Unfortunately, the end result is often-times work that is so shoddy the vehicle comes out the other end unsafe to drive.

On a national level, nothing is being done to put a stop to this practice. But according to a report in Stamfordplus.com, the Auto Body Association of Connecticut has begun a campaign to implement stronger anti-steerage laws in that state.

In a statement made by Thomas Bivona, the chairman of the Connecticut ABA, he describes the problem as “Too often, consumers are unaware that insurance companies direct work to preferred shops because those shops may cut corners on the repair job, perhaps using inferior parts, aftermarket parts that have never been safety tested, or they may even install used parts.” Bivona later added, “We can no longer allow potentially unsafe cars back onto our streets and highways.”

The biggest problem is that most customers don’t know that they have a choice as to where they can take their vehicle for repair. You can take it to an insurer-recommended shop, one you select personally ,or even to your local dealership.