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You'll have to get an estimate from reputable shop. You'll also have to make your car available for them to estimate. The shop can choose to deal with the ins estimator or not. You can choose which one you take your car to for the work though. You don't have to pick the cheapest, it's your choice. If the insurance estimator really low balls the repair the reputable shop may say go pound salt and we won't fix it for that and you will have to pony up the money then take offending driver to small claims court. Speaking from experience, State Farm are a** holes. A few yers ago I got rear ended and they (SF) wanted to put used parts on a very very clean vehicle my wife drove. I refused, and had to pay the bill myself and then sue the driver for the bill. The court awarded me the whole bill and then SF ponied up the money. I didn't want to go through my insurance company as your insurance company has the right to negociate for you. Someimes your ins company will also cheap out so they can get it done and move past. Lastly, CA has a law (needs updating because things cost so much more now than 20 years ago) that if you have more than $500 (I think) damage you have to report it to the DMV or they can yank you drivers license. If you report it, keep all you paper work when you settle as the DMV will put a point on your record just for being involved in an accident and you will have to petition it to get it back off your record. No Kidding. And that point can affect your insurance. I was at a red light and got rear ended and they put a point on my record.
Ken
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