You will not actually have to "pay" the deductible if you are fixing yourself and the insurance company agrees to release payment to you vs repair place. What they will do is issue you a check for damages (based on estimates you provide from repair places to repair) less the amount of deductible (in your case $1500). If you can fix for that amount, do. If not, wait until the manufacturer releases money to insurance carrier and you get the remaining $1500 and then fix. I worked in insurance for 12 years (agent) prior to entering into our own business. This sort of thing happens often. The insurance company may require you to send pics of repairs to verify they were done. Sometimes they will only release partial payments at a time as repairs are completed and sometimes they require that payment can only be made to repair shop. You'll have to hash that out with them. If you have a lien and they make check to you, it will most likely have your's and the lien holders name on it...this is to prevent fraud. Only owing $2000 on your note as you described, I wouldn't think you would have any trouble getting them (lien holder) to release payment to you for repairs. Good luck!
