My car was hit while parked. I made a claim against the person who caused the accident. The insurance company has sent me an estimator who wrote a report. The ins company sent me a check for cost of repairs (according to the estimator).
The problem is that the estimate is on the low side. We both have Gieco insurance. I also have collision coverage.

My question is as follows:
Should I go to a body shop that is linked to the ins company, or should I pick an independent shop to do the repairs?.
Thanks
Note:
The car can not be driven, it has to be towed.

I would go around to two or three body shops myself (reputable places that you know of) and get estimates (they are free) and take that back to the insurance agency - they should (have) to adjust the payment.

1. I believe it is your choice. On the estimate that the GEICO adjuster gave you is his/her phone number. The adjuster will be happy to answer your questions.

2. GEICO also has "preferred" body shops that guarantee your satisfaction and the work for the life of the car. I recommend you ask GEICO for the names of one of those and use it.

3. You can call GEICO 24 hours a day and get the claims department. They too should be able to answer your questions.

Both parties being insured with GEICO will not impact your repair. If the other person is at fault, they pay. If you are at fault, you pay.

GEICO is a good insurance company with excellent claims service. Their claims training personnel are the best.

Take pictures of the car and then select a couple/few body shops using friend's reference, auto part store references, or rental car (Enterprise does quite a business from Auto body shops) employee references. You'd be surprised at what these people hear on the good and bad of each local auto repair business.

When you've found a place you like (it could be Gieco's body shop, or maybe not), then have your car towed there. When they give you the estimate upon sight inspection, call the adjustor assigned to your case and tell them the check isn't enough (assuming that's still the case). Adjusters are used to these calls. They really do get them all the time from their own body shops. It's hard to tell from a visual inspection what the damage really is. Once you take the car apart, other repairs become obvious, and they file adjustments with the adjuster. It's just the normal course of business. Don't worry about it so much.

if your ins company had not issued a check, i'd say go with an ins linked place, because the ins company will not pay the place until the work is done, BUT if they already issued you a check, it doesn't much matter.

Take the estimate & check to the shop of your choice. Any supplement work must be re-inspected by Geico and paid for.
The only advantage to going with a Geico shop is the repairs are guaranteed by Geico.

If you got hit you should be able to take your car anywhere you want to get it repaired. I would check around with several different body shops and get several different estimates. Go with who you feel good about working on your car, the most expensive isnt always the best one to choose.

Read your policy. As both parties are insured with Geico, you might very well be compelled to use the company's shop.

Go to an independent repair shop (check BBB for a qualified one). If they find something that needs to be done have the estimator go back and have tech show him what else needs done.

How do you know it's low? Asking a body shop if there's enough money on an estimate is like asking Rosie O'Donnell if she's hungry --
Take you vehicle to the repairer of your choice. If the shop really feels more money is needed then GEICO will reinspect your car and 9 times out of 10 they will come to an agreement.