After getting the check for your damaged car, you may want to keep the check to meet a more pressing financial issue. You can certainly choose to keep the check and not fix your car. If your car suffered minor damages, you might choose to pocket the money. However, if your vehicle has suffered significant damages, it is better to repair it as soon as you can.  Not only is it risky to drive a damaged car, but the damages to your car may get worse with time.