YMMV but when I was at fault in an accident, my insurance company gave me a check. I got an estimate , they sent out an adjuster, and they met in the middle somewhere and gave me a check.

In a different accident, another driver side-swiped me and their insurance company gave me the option to go the long way and have them send out an adjuster, would have to get a rental, probably take two weeks, and they would give me a check. Second option was to take it to an approved shop and they would handle everything, and I’d have my car back pretty quick. I took the second option since it wasn’t driveable and I needed it for work asap. But I could have taken the money option.

I live in the US, so this is a legitimate thing that happens.