Licensed property and casualty insurers doing business in Montana have been reminded by Montana State Auditor John Morrison of the new law protecting residents of Montana right to choose a car repairer after an accident.

The law which has recently come into effecting is known as an ‘Antisteering Law’ and will stop car insurers from requiring customers to use specific car repairers for estimates and repairs after an accident.

Prior to the new ‘Antisteering Law’ being enacted, a car insurer was able to ask claimants to go to a specific repair shop for a repair estimate, but not for the actual repairs of the car. Claimants now have the right to choose where to take the car for the initial estimate and for any necessary repairs of the car.

The car insurer does still have the right for its own appraiser or adjuster to inspect the vehicle for a repair estimate.

Car Insurers are able, upon a customers request, to provide a list of car repair shops, but the customer retains the right to choose where the repairs will be completed.