Auto Insurance Claims: Spending The Money, giving away money, insurance companies

Question
My girlfriend was rear ended.  The driver who rear ended hers insurance company sent her a check in her name for $1100.  The damage that was caused turns out to be cosmetic only.  Is she free to spend the money how she pleases?  If she does use it to repair the car what does she do with the remaining money if the cost to fix it does not exceed the check amount?

Answer
Ryan,

That money belongs to her. It is a settlement and is hers to spend any way she likes. Chances are good, however, that there is more damage than what you can see and to have it properly repaired it will cost more. Insurance companies are not in the habit of giving away money in claims.

Charlie