Auto Insurance Claims: Comprehensive damage claim, insurance fraud, finance company

Question
Hello. I hit a deer and reported it to the insurance company. They wrote an estimate and cut a check for the damages minus the deductible. My car is currently financed so they included my name and the finance company's name on the check. After contacting the finance company I was told that I would have to sign the check and send it to them and they would pay ONLY what my deductible did not cover. I did some research of my own and found a shop that could repair my truck without having to pay out the whole deductible. My question is are the finance companies allowed to keep that money? Why shouldn't I be able to pay the deductible to the insurance company and they pay the shop or write a check to the shop?

Answer
If the insurance company has paid to have the work completed per their estimate, then any changes in that repair for the purpose of saving the customer from paying a deductible is considered insurance fraud.  This is a felony in most states.  If a body shop is in the habit of conducting business in this manner then do you really want them working on your car?  

When you purchased insurance, you agreed to accept the deductible amount in exchange for a particular rate and coverage.  You can have a lower or no deductible at all if you are willing to pay a higher premium.  As it sounds like the insurance company has fulfilled their end of the contract, shouldn't you do the same?
The finance company has an insurable interest in the vehicle.  The insurance company has paid to have it repaired properly and the finance company has every right to either the proper repair or the money for such a repair.

Good luck and I hope you make the right decision.