Insurance companies differ on their rules regarding how to deal with check and if they are made out to the claimant or repair shop. I would suggest contacting your insurance agent or the claims representative assigned to your claim. Make them aware of your concerns and see if you do have the option of receiving the money instead of the repair or body shop.

An insurance policy is there to indemnify you in the case of a loss. The concept of indemnity is that in the event of a claim you will be compensated so that you are in the same financial position as you were before the loss.

If your insurance agent is unable to help you then you can contact your state's insurance regulator to get more answers.