If you’ve been in a fender bender and you carry 21st Century Insurance, you might be wondering whether you have to use one of their preferred shops — or whether you can bring your car to the shop you trust. The short answer: in California, the choice is always yours.

What Does 21st Century Insurance Cover?

21st Century offers standard auto coverage including collision, comprehensive, liability, and rental reimbursement. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle when you’re at fault or when fault is shared. Comprehensive covers non-collision events — think hail, theft, or a tree branch. If your policy includes rental reimbursement, you may be covered for a loaner while your car is in the shop.

Coverage for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts varies by policy. If OEM parts matter to you — and for newer vehicles, they often do — confirm your coverage before repairs begin.

California Law: You Pick the Shop

Under California Insurance Code Section 758.5, your insurer cannot require you to use a specific repair facility. 21st Century, like every insurer operating in California, must honor your choice of licensed auto body shop. If anyone pressures you to use a network shop, the law is on your side.

How to File a Collision Claim With 21st Century Insurance

1. Report the accident — call 21st Century’s claims line or log in to their online portal as soon as possible after the incident.

2. Document everything — photos of all damage, the other vehicle, and the scene help support your claim.

3. Get an estimate — bring your car to the shop of your choice for a written estimate. You do not need to visit a 21st Century-preferred shop first.

4. Communicate your shop choice — let your adjuster know which shop will be handling the repairs.

5. Authorize repairs — once your claim is approved and coverage is confirmed, give the shop the green light.

Your shop will work directly with the adjuster on supplements if additional damage is found during the repair process.

Who We Serve in the Bay Area

EV Central Service is located at 718 Bryant St in San Francisco and serves drivers across the entire Bay Area — including Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, San Jose, Palo Alto, the Peninsula, East Bay, South Bay, and Marin County. We work on all makes and models: gas, hybrid, and electric.

Ready to Get Your Car Repaired?

If you’re dealing with a 21st Century claim and want to talk through your options, give us a call at (415) 881-1845. We’ll walk you through the process and make sure your repair is done right — at a shop you can trust.