The Hartford is one of the most well-known names in insurance, especially popular with AARP members and business owners across California. But if you’ve just been in a collision in the San Francisco Bay Area and you’re wondering whether you’re stuck using a shop from The Hartford’s preferred list — you’re not.

California law is clear: you get to choose your own repair shop. Here’s what you need to know.

What Does The Hartford Auto Insurance Cover?

The Hartford offers personal and commercial auto insurance policies with standard collision and comprehensive options. Depending on your plan, coverage may include:

Collision coverage — repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault
Comprehensive coverage — fire, theft, vandalism, weather damage, and more
Rental car reimbursement — a replacement vehicle while repairs are underway
New car replacement — some policies replace a totaled vehicle with a brand-new one (not just market value)
OEM vs. aftermarket parts — California law gives you a say in what parts are used on your vehicle

Check your policy declarations or call The Hartford at 1-800-243-5860 to confirm your specific coverage.

California Law: The Shop Choice Is Yours

Under California Insurance Code Section 758.5, no insurance company — including The Hartford — can require you to use a specific repair shop. They are allowed to recommend their Direct Repair Program (DRP) facilities, but you are not obligated to go there.

What that means in practice:

• You can take your car to any licensed auto body shop in California
• The Hartford must pay the reasonable and customary cost of repairs at your chosen shop
• You cannot be penalized or have your claim delayed simply for choosing your own shop

If anyone from The Hartford implies otherwise, you can contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357.

How to File a Claim With The Hartford

1. Report the accident — call The Hartford at 1-800-243-5860 or file online through their portal or mobile app
2. Document the damage — take photos of your vehicle, the other vehicle (if applicable), and the scene; get the police report number
3. Choose your shop — let The Hartford know you’ll be taking your car to EV Central at 718 Bryant St, San Francisco
4. Coordinate the estimate — The Hartford may send an appraiser or ask for a photo estimate; we work directly with adjusters so you don’t have to manage the back-and-forth
5. Approve and repair — once the estimate is agreed upon, we get to work
6. Pick up your vehicle — we handle all final paperwork and billing directly with The Hartford

Serving the Entire SF Bay Area

EV Central is based in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, but we see customers from all over the Bay Area every day:

San Francisco · Oakland · Berkeley · San Jose · Fremont · Palo Alto · Daly City · South San Francisco · Redwood City · Mountain View · Sunnyvale · Santa Clara · Hayward · Richmond · Walnut Creek · Concord · Marin County · the Peninsula · East Bay · South Bay

Why Drivers Choose EV Central

• All makes and models — gas, hybrid, and electric
• I-CAR certified technicians
• Lifetime warranty on all bodywork and paint
• We bill insurance directly — no chasing adjusters on your end
• Conveniently located at 718 Bryant St, SoMa, San Francisco

Ready to Get Your Car Fixed?

Give us a call or stop by — we’ll handle the rest.

📞 (415) 881-1845
📍 718 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA