Someone bumped into my husband's car and left a good size scuff mark...?

He has the right to get the car fixed by whomever he chooses. The problem comes in the amount the company will pay. They will only pay what they their adjusters or "preferred vendors" estimate. Dealerships usually are more expensive, so don't be surprised if the insurance company doesn't give you enough money.

The benefit of going with a "preferred vendor" is often, the insurance company will warranty the work and will be more willing to pay if further damage is later found.

they probably have a contract with the shop they want him to go to. He does NOT have to take it there. If he doesn't Geico may not pay what his body shop estimates it at if their shop can do it cheaper. they wont deny the claim, but will only pay what their shop estimates it at. he can have it repaired anywhere he wants. if his shop and their shop estimates are within only a few hundred dollars Geico may be willing to pay the difference to settle the claim. talk to the adjuster and let him know if the shop they want him to go to is too far away, they may have a closer one. sorry, but dealers are ALWAYS high on estimates and while people like to go to them, that does not mean their work is better than a local body shop.

Alot of insurance companies deal with certain body shops that will do the work for a more reasonable fee - not unusual. I am not sure if he has to take it there but probably so. See if they don't have a place closer to you that they deal with. Good Luck

you have the right to take the car to ANY certified car repair shop that you want the insurance can only make recommendations on were to take it and most of the time were they tell you to take it is the cheapest for them and they are a crappy repair shop, and they do have to pay for it fully

if they try to refuse to pay tell them you are going to talk to a lawyer

we took our car to the shop our insurance company told us to and they repaired the front bumper, when my dad brought it back i noticed that a fog light was missing, we called them they said they didnt touch the fog lights, well answer me this HOW THE HELL DO YOU CHANGE THE FRONT BUMPER WITHOUT TOUCHING THE FOG LIGHTS???