As far as getting multiple bids, this is not a bidding process where multiple bids are required or even advisable. When someone hits you, and is clearly at fault, cost does not matter, it will be going against their insurance, not yours. What matters is getting your vehicle back to as close to perfect condition as possible.

So you want the BEST body shop in town, not the cheapest. If in doubt, get the body shop the local BMW dealer uses. I would advise against doing the work yourself unless you have a downdraft paint booth in your garage, equipped with infrared paint heater, compressor with sophisticated water removal, and about a $500 HVLP spray gun. Not to mention proper EPA approval. My guess is that you're looking at over $2,000 damage at a top body shop.

The way to handle this is to first select your body shop. Then give him the details of the other party's insurance. The body shop manager will make an appointment at his shop for the appraiser to come see the car. Some body shops have arrangements with certain insurers so no appraisal is necessary, but don't count on that. They will tell you when to leave the car so the appraiser can come see it. The body shop manager will work out the cost with the insurer to their mutual satisfaction. He will negotiate on your behalf, and will definitely get enough money to fix the car without any shortcuts. In this case you should not owe a penny. NEVER have an appraiser see a car at your house...what do you know about bodywork estimation?

BTW, right after everything is agreed at the body shop is a perfect time to discuss with the body shop manager any additional work you want done. For example if you've been thinking about taking care of those scratches on the front bumper, but have never quite got around to it...now is the time. The body shop will be mixing your paint, doing all the processes, and additional work will be much cheaper since they are already working on your car.

I have taken my cars to only 1 body shop here in the bay area, it was recommended by my BMW dealer and they are great (except for 1 minor instance). Most of the body shops work with insurance companies or if they don't work with the responsible party's insurance provider they will probably do the work for the estimate they created, that's been my experience.

To the earlier point, your insurance rates will not go up if you are not at fault, again that's been my experience and if they do go up you always have a choice of other insurance providers. Competition is what makes capitalism work ;)

To the OP, so what did you end up doing? (BTW, I like your LED upgrades ;)