[MRM]

There's an important distinction to remember here. I know for certain your insurer cannot require you to have the repairs done at one place or another. But that is not what they are doing here. They are allowing you to go anywhere you want but insisting on a non-OEM replacement part because it is much cheaper. They'll have this position regardless of what shop you goto.

Whether you have the right to a more expensive OEM windshield or the cheapest equal alternative depends on your state law and your policy language. It would be a half day research project for someone who doesn't know the answer to find it out for you. But there is an answer and someone familiar with California law should be able to give it to you off the top of his head.