Legal Question in Consumer Law in Massachusetts

Can an auto body shop fix my car without authorization?

I was in an accident were I was rear ended. my car was towed to a shop that the police called. We never authorized or even discussed repairs with this shop and they began reparing it even before we recieved the appraisal. This has taken away any chance for us to dispute the appraisal with the insurance company (who just happens to be our carrier as well as the guy that hit us). What kind of options do I have as far as holding this company accountable?


Asked on 1/11/06, 3:45 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Raymond P. Bilodeau Law Office of Raymond P. Bilodeau

Re: Can an auto body shop fix my car without authorization?

No, the repair shop must have your written authorization to make the repair or a record of a specific telephone authorization. You may have signed something without realizing what it was, but someone should have told you what you were signing.

See Attorney General Regulations 990 CMR Motor vehicle Regulations 5.05: Repairs and Services. Go to Mass.gov, enter "CMR" in the search block, upper right.

I'm not sure I understand why that's a problem, however, as you should not be paying for the repair from what you described.

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Answered on 1/11/06, 8:02 pm


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