Montana Auditor Reminds Consumers to Shop for Insurance

The Montana state auditor is reminding auto insurance companies that consumers can choose any shop they want for repair estimates.

John Morrison says a law that took effect earlier this year bans a practice known as “steering,” where the company tells customers where to go for estimates and repairs.

Prior to the new law, an insurer could dictate a specific shop for estimating purposes. The consumer was allowed to choose the shop for actual repairs.

Now the consumer gets to pick both.

The auditor regulates insurance companies in Montana.