[need advice] hit and run... car estimates (codell or somebody?)

ok... i know absolutely crud about cars, insurance, and that kinda stuff.

on the way to work yesterday got involved in a hit and run (had to chase down the guy to get his plate numbers/letters). happened at 59 and bissonnet (folks drive like crap over there). the right front side is scratched pretty bad and i can't open my driver-side door wide enough to get out of it (pretty embarrassing when getting out the passenger side when i go somewhere).

called 911 immediately and was told that since the guy drove off and since it wasn't an emergency that i could go to a police station and file a report, so i went to the one at rusk and houston ave. that part is taken care of. plate numbers, person and passenger description, and model/color of car.

now, the advice part...

i know my insurance deductible is 500 bucks. i'm sure it'll cost more to get the car fixed, but if it makes my insurance go up a lot (still have yet to make a claim) i'm not sure if i want to go that route. does anybody know anywhere in houston that i can get an estimate done (preferably downtown, upper kirby, montrose, midtown, museum district,... or even anywhere in the sw part of town). also, is there a fee or anything for estimates?

i should've followed the phocker all the way down 59. i had a full tank. if i would have found out "where are you live", i probably would have kicked his ass (not really).

 

just sent you a msg through the board, 'dell. thx in advance.