Someone backed into my parked car. That person's insurance company estimated that the repair to my car will cost $1,500 but the insurance company said it can't cut me a check. It said my car has to go to the repair shop. If I don't want the repair at this time, isn't that insurer required to cut me the check?

In a first-party claim, you can't object to the repair shop being named on the insurance check if you've agreed to those terms within your car insurance policy. A first-party claim is when you file a claim with your own insurance company -- your insurer has the right to pay whomever it deems necessary to settle a claim.

But in this case you are a third-party claimant, so you shouldn't have an obligation to that insurance company. In most third-party claims, car insurance companies pay claimants directly; however, practices vary by insurance company and state.

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States oversee the insurance industry, and regulations vary from one state to another. To learn your rights in this situation, go to your state insurance department's website, which should feature helpful information on insurance issues and consumer rights. Call the department if information on the website doesn't shed any light on your problem. The website should list a number for consumers to call with questions or complaints.

State insurance information is available on Insure.com. Just click on your state and you'll be directed to a page featuring the name of the insurance department, address and phone number, website and a list of leading insurance companies operating in the state.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners also features a handy state map on its site with links to the various state insurance departments.

For more, see car insurance claims: Who gets the claim-payment check?