An update on my case (with due apologies to bruno for hijacking his original thread!).
Insurance company have accepted the garage quote. They are waiting for the other party to return an acceptance of liability form. He has until 9 November to do this.
As a novice to this situation, what happens if, as was the case on the day, the guy doesn't accept the liability? Where do we stand? The insurance company have said that we can go ahead and get the work done and get the money after, but are we taking a risk by doing this??
Thanks for the help.