+1!!!
You do not have to use the insurer's preferred repairer. They can however require you to provide two quotes and will deny you a courtesy car if you choose your own garage - but I think its worth it to know that the quality of the work is going to be good.
Is it Admiral by any chance?
Erm, yes - it's Admiral - you don't work for them do you?
Thanks for all of the advice, I'm going to go and get some independant prices. If anyone can recommend any other bodyshops in the Farnborough, Aldershot or Guildford area then it would be welcomed.
No I do not I'm insured with them and have had two bodywork claims in the last year. Neither of them my fault. Both times they gave me the "well we would like you to use so & so" and I told them very clearly that I would not be using their approved repairer due to the difficulty colour matching and that I had my own preferred bodyshop who I knew would do a good job. They asked for two quotes the first time - one came form my preferred bodyshop - the other Nissan - significantly more expensive - they instructed Nissan! Only thing is the bodyshop I wanted to use does all the work for the local Nissan place anyway so ultimately I got my own way.