not so simple.

option #3 makes sense if the car is old. If the car is relatively new, the owner may not be able to pocket any money if the repair has to be done, because the money paid for by insurance may be less than or equal to the cost.

My car was hit by a guy failed to stop at a stop sign. I went to 3 shops and got estimated repair costs of roughly 1800, 2100, 2400 respectively. However the insurance only gave me a check for a little over 1100. I sent my car to the shop whose estimated cost was 2400 and they told me to not worry about the difference. When I picked my car up I was told the actual cost was over 1600. I personally got nothing from this acccident.