Take the money insurance company cut you and get it fixed at a reputable, insurance company approved, body shop. Whatever the amount they cut you, you will not be able to fix it at a body shop without the backing of the insurance company. The insurance company gets a "discount" from the body shop that will not extend to you as an individual. Comapare both estimates between a repair order from an insurance company and a repair order as an individual, and you are likely to see a difference up to 30%. In addition, you will receive rental reimbursements (even if you drive your other vehicles during the duration of the repair) and a check for the depreciation of your wrecked vehicle. I know this because my wife back her brand new Camry into my '97 Nissan few months ago. I got an estimate from two local Toyota dealerships- one with insurance authorization and one as an individual, and the difference was almost $900 ($3,800 vs $2,900).
That's just my experience and opinion.
