If you’ve been in a collision and you carry Travelers Auto Insurance, you might be wondering whether you’re locked into using one of their approved repair shops. In California, the answer is simple: you’re not. State law gives you the right to choose any licensed auto body shop — no matter what your insurer recommends.

Here’s everything you need to know before filing your claim.

What Does Travelers Auto Insurance Cover?

Travelers auto policies typically include:

• Collision coverage — damage from accidents with other vehicles or fixed objects
• Comprehensive coverage — theft, fire, weather events, vandalism
• Rental car reimbursement — coverage for a rental while your vehicle is being repaired (if added to your policy)
• OEM vs. aftermarket parts — California law requires your insurer to disclose when non-OEM parts are used; you have the right to request OEM parts on newer vehicles

Review your declarations page or contact Travelers directly to confirm what your specific policy covers.

Your Right to Choose — California Insurance Code Section 758.5

California law is clear: no insurer can require you to use a specific repair facility. Travelers may promote their Select Repair Network, but participation is entirely optional on your part.

What this means for you:

• You have the right to bring your vehicle to any licensed auto body shop in California
• Travelers must honor your choice and work with the shop you select
• Your chosen shop cannot be excluded or penalized for being outside the Travelers network

If anyone at Travelers implies you must use a specific shop, that’s not accurate under California law — and you can push back.

How to File a Travelers Collision Claim in the SF Bay Area

• Report the accident — Call Travelers at 1-800-252-4633 or file online at travelers.com
• Get your claim number — You’ll need this when contacting your repair shop
• Choose your shop — Bring your vehicle to EV Central or any licensed Bay Area shop you trust
• Inspection & estimate — Travelers will send an appraiser or request a photo estimate
• Repairs begin — Once the estimate is approved, your shop starts the work
• Pay your deductible — Due directly to the shop at pickup
• Pick up your vehicle — Travelers handles the remaining balance with the shop

EV Central Works With Travelers — and All Major Carriers

At EV Central, we work with Travelers Insurance and every major carrier in the Bay Area. Gas, hybrid, or electric — Toyota, Honda, Tesla, Ford, BMW — we handle the claims process and communicate directly with adjusters so you don’t have to.

Cities we serve: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Fremont, Palo Alto, Daly City, South San Francisco, Hayward, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and the greater SF Bay Area.

Ready to Get Started?

📍 718 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA
📞 (415) 881-1845
🌐 evcentralservice.com

Give us a call or stop by — we’ll handle your Travelers claim from start to finish.