Insurance wants repair shop in their network
I had my catalytic converter stolen from my car. I called my insurance, and they are pushing for the repair shop in their network. I know they shouldn’t do that ( at least in my state) but they do.
The problem is insurance doesn’t provide me a rental car, and their shops don’t want to give me estimated time it could be weeks to fix it. Also all shops seem to be body shops not a car service.
I called Toyota service and they can do it in a week max.
I don’t have free rental in my insurance, and wait time is important to me.
So I decided on Toyota shop, called my insurance just now. They are trying to persuade me and threatened that I will be responsible for any additional repairs / parts not approved by the estimator.
When I said it’s not true I’m responsible only up to my deductible the lady was rude and told me I’m wrong.
So what should I do? Can they really charge me extra or it’s just a scare tactic. I don’t think Toyota would charge any unnecessary fees.