If it's a clear cut case they will do there best to get in touch and sort it direct as it will save them loads of money as the claim handling company will milk them for as much as possible.
If you call your insurance they will probably advise to use their 'approved' claim handling company so they get their kick back.
When my first van got written off ( it was parked at the time) I just went along with it as I didn't know any better and got put in a shite little courtesy nissan note which somehow the other insurance co didn't seem to know about for a month or so which I think ended costing them more than the payout for my van! And took about 6 months to sort!
So when I got knocked off my motorbike I rang her insurance co directly and said will you sort it which they gladly did. They organised follow up medical treatment and agreed a decent value for the bike (more than I paid) plus a good amount for my injuries and all got sorted swiftly.
Last year my t6 got written off, again I rang her insurance co and they handled it and again they paid for a replacement and expenses and I think it took just over a month. They gave me a decent courtesy car after saying I didn't want a panel van (hire companies don't have kombis!) And then when I said i was going away for the weekend and needed to get 4 people and bikes in which wouldn't fit in the car they let me organise hire and paid for a minibus for the weekend!
It didn't stop vultures getting in touch and deviously convincing me to let them handle it by saying her insurance co had authorized them to handle the claim on my behalf! It wasn't until their injury solicitor was talking up the injuries they decided I had and telling me what their cut of the claim was I realised I'd be tricked!
In my experience they will certainly help to make sure it goes as quickly and smoothly as possible to save them money.
