Shannons insurance question, cash settlement over repair.

[Hell Cat]

Hi guys.

some goose damaged my car trying to parallel park behind me, the guy who did the damage is refusing to claim on his insurance, I'm insured with shannons so I made a claim on my insurance and they agreed that I'm not at fault so I don't need to pay the excess.

Damage is scrapes on bumper and scraped tail light (black car)

I got a quote to repair from my choice of repairer and it turned out to be $1550, they would need the car for 5 days and I would need to pay for car hire (shannons won't cover hire)

I really don't want to be out of pocket to hire a car and I'm happy to live with the scratches for now and eventually get it repaired at a later date, plus I'm sure it will just get damaged again by another person later down the track trying to park...... (How hard is it to park a car for some people, sheesh)

So I'm wondering if you guys from experience know if you can opt for a cash settlement instead of repair? And if you have the right to insist on it or not?
I called shannons and the lady wasn't too sure.

Thanks.