Auto Insurance/Legal Question

 

So here's the skinny, In November I was getting off the snow covered freeway and the car infront of me spun out, and I tried to avoid hitting him, and in the process I hit the guard rail doing about 5mph.  I got an estimate for the repairs which came to +$1600.  But then I never went and had the work done, I just bought a  new headlight and turn signal on ebay for $35 and used the ding-king-thing to pop the dent out.  The rest of the scaping I buffed off without a problem. 

 

Now I was told by a few people that in Ohio you have the right to pick your own shop to do the work.

Quote from ohioinsurnace.gov You have the right to choose which shop will repair your car, unless this right is limited by your policy. You are entitled to a prompt and good-faith settlement offer based onthe terms of your policy and to negotiate with the insurance company's adjuster.You have the right to reject any settlement offer that you find unacceptable and use any arbitration procedures provided in your policy

And my insurance provider states:
You are always free to choose any repair shop, and Allstate will always honor your choice of where to get your car repaired.

 

I remember my uncle saying a few years ago about his son got into an accident and the body shop wanted over $2000 for the damage, and he was able to get a check for the money and then he did the work himself and left the damages he couldn't repair since the car was already 9 years old. 

I know a lot of time has past since my accident but this has been on my mind recently.  Could I call my insurance and ask for the check and say I'm doing the repairs for myself?  Granted I'd have to pay the $500 deductible but then I'd get a check for $1600 and have a net gain of $1100.

 

Is there a statue of limitations on insurance claimslike this, and is it possibly for me to get this check?