I recently found myself in a simialr situation, My car was hit whilst parked in our local supermaket carpark, the person responsible kindly left without leaving there details! I was left with a crumpled front wheel arch (car was drivable)
I decided to get it repaired via my insurance, I had to pay £175 ecxess, my insurance (with direct line) was £287 full comp. (this all happended last christmas)
Just had my renewal from directline and they wanted an eyewatering £650!
i shopped around and changed my insurance to Aviva who did it for £308.
What I found was when i shopped around was some insurers when asked if you have had a claim in the last 5years left it at that and made there quote where others went further and asked who's fault the accident was and then made there quote.
if you cant live with the damage, then personnally I would get it done via my insurance then shop around when your renewal comes, the difference should be less than the £1500 to repare your car.