KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Peace of mind with every service — quality backed by a warranty you can trust.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Rhode Island law guarantees your absolute legal right to choose any preferred auto repair facility.
Absolute Shop Choice
Rhode Island law protects your right to choose any licensed repair facility, preventing insurance companies from forcing you into their preferred networks.
The “Anti-Steering” law (R.I.G.L. §27-29-4) explicitly states that insurers cannot require repairs to be made at a specific shop. Once you have made your selection and informed the insurance company, they are legally prohibited from recommending an alternative or attempting to influence your decision. This ensures that you remain in control of who handles your vehicle’s restoration, allowing you to prioritize quality and trust over the insurance provider’s cost-saving preferences or internal business partnerships.
OEM Parts Protection
For vehicles less than 48 months old, insurers are generally prohibited from requiring aftermarket parts without your explicit written consent for repairs.
Under R.I.G.L. §27-10.2-2, your right to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts is protected to maintain your vehicle’s safety and value. Insurance companies cannot mandate the use of non-factory components for newer vehicles, ensuring that your car is restored using the exact parts it was built with. This protection is vital for maintaining structural integrity and long-term reliability. We advocate for these genuine parts in every negotiation to ensure your car returns to the road in its original, high-performance factory condition.
- Accidents, natural disasters, or external causes beyond Recster Auto Repair’s control.
- Customer negligence, misuse, or improper maintenance.
- Work performed by any facility other than Recster Auto Repair.
- Routine maintenance services, including but not limited to fluid changes and filter replacements.
- Wear items such as brake pads/shoes, rotors/drums, bulbs, and batteries.
- Repairs or services that were specifically noted on the estimate or invoice as not covered under warranty.
Rental Agency Freedom
You have the legal right to choose your own rental car company, and insurers cannot interfere with your selection or convenience.
Just as you choose your repair shop, Rhode Island law (R.I.G.L. §27-29-4) guarantees your freedom to select any rental agency. If you have “Direction to Pay” in place, the insurer must pay the rental company directly, preventing you from facing unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses. Furthermore, if you are not at fault, you are entitled to a rental vehicle comparable to your own, ensuring your daily life and mobility remain undisrupted while your primary vehicle is under our professional care.
Direct Payment Rights
Insurers must honor your “Direction to Pay,” allowing them to compensate your chosen repair shop directly for all authorized restoration work.
Rhode Island regulations require insurance companies to respect a signed “Direction to Pay” form. This legal document instructs the insurer to issue payment directly to us, the restoration facility, rather than sending a check to you. This process streamlines the financial aspect of the repair, preventing delays and ensuring that the funds are available to cover the high-quality parts and specialized labor required. It eliminates the administrative burden on you, allowing us to manage the financial logistics while you focus on recovery.
Fair Market Valuation
In the event of a total loss, you are entitled to the actual retail value of your vehicle based on recognized guides.
If an insurance company declares your vehicle a total loss, they must use the average retail value indicated by the NADA Official Used Car Guide or a similar trusted service. You are not required to accept a “lowball” offer; the law ensures you receive fair compensation to replace your vehicle. Additionally, in Rhode Island, you are entitled to a tax credit letter or reimbursement for the 7% sales tax and DMV registration fees, protecting your financial interests during the replacement process.
Truthful Claim Information
Insurance companies are legally barred from misrepresenting the quality of a shop’s work or the validity of their repair warranties.
The Unfair Claims Practices Act prevents insurers from disseminating false information or denigrating your chosen repair facility to steer you elsewhere. They cannot claim that choosing an independent shop will result in delays or that the work will not be guaranteed. In reality, we provide a lifetime warranty on our repairs—a standard that often exceeds the promises of insurance-affiliated shops. This legal safeguard ensures that your decision is based on facts and technical merit rather than coercive or misleading insurance tactics.
Warranty claims cannot exceed the original cost of repair. If the repair or parts are covered by an unexpired manufacturer’s warranty or recall policy, Recster Auto Repair reserves the right to seek coverage under that policy at no cost to the owner. By accepting service, the owner agrees to allow Recster Auto Repair to file such claims.
Insurers must honor your “Direction to Pay,” allowing them to compensate your chosen repair shop directly for all authorized restoration work.
Rhode Island regulations require insurance companies to respect a signed “Direction to Pay” form. This legal document instructs the insurer to issue payment directly to us, the restoration facility, rather than sending a check to you. This process streamlines the financial aspect of the repair, preventing delays and ensuring that the funds are available to cover the high-quality parts and specialized labor required. It eliminates the administrative burden on you, allowing us to manage the financial logistics while you focus on recovery.
- Brake system (excluding brake pads/shoes and rotors/drums)
- Electrical system, Exhaust system, Fuel system, Engine cooling system
- Air conditioning, heating, and climate control system
- Steering and suspension systems, including CV joints, wheel bearings, half shafts, and driveshafts
- Engine performance and drivability repairs
- On-board computer system and electronic engine management system
- Starting and charging systems (excluding batteries)
- Other minor repairs (excluding bulbs)
Drive With Confidence
Your trust matters. That’s why every service at Recster is backed by clear, dependable warranty protection — so you can hit the road knowing your vehicle is in good hands.
