Auto Insurance Claims: insurance claim, repair options

Question
I stopped my 2007 jeep grand Cherokee Laredo on the graveled shoulder of a road under construction. We have had a lot of rain and apparently they had also done culvert work where I stopped.  My drivers side wheels sank and I started a slow slide.  Long story short,I ended up tipped over on the drivers side in a deep ditch with my back wheel apparently hanging off a cement culvert-keeping me from going into water at the bottom of the ditch.I was able to drive the car home (good old jeep!)after it was pulled out but the tow driver was very firm about my having it looked at for mechanical damage underneath as soon as possible before I drove it again.

When I took the jeep in to the local jeep dealer affiliated body shop, they were not going to even look under the jeep until I insisted. After they did and reported it "looked okay", I asked if it was ok to drive and they replied, "that's up to you."

On the 3600.00 estimate report, the only mechanical repair is to realign the wheels, which it says would be "sublet".  At this point I am more concerned about mechanical damage than cosmetic damage. My insurance agent says that if there is more mechanical damage the insurance company will pay for it...


Questions-   Do I have to have the body shop that gave the estimate do the repair? Or can I go to someone I feel more comfortable with? (There is a mom and pop body shop I would like to use because I know the owners. They were on vacation at the time of the accident.)I would assume that any increased cost over any item in the original estimate would be mine, such as the alignment, cracked windshield etc.
Do I have the right to have a mechanic look at the vehicle and give another estimate on any damage to the underparts of the vehicle ?
Should I not cash the original check before I get a second opinion on the mechanical?
Thanks

Answer
Liz,

  I'll get straight to your questions. . .

1.  You can use any body shop you like.  Mom and pop shops are great.
2.  Damages will be paid based on the reasonable repair cost.  
3.  You certainly have the right to have another professional evaluate your vehicle damages.

  If you are filing on your own insurance, then you should be able to let the mom and pop shop work directly with the insurance company to get the repairs completed properly.

  I hope this helps!