Quote Originally Posted by gsrteg
how can a damaged fender be considered as totalled? Did you take the car to a body shop or did the insurance send an adjuster to inspect the car at your house? I would advise getting several opinions around shops? If it ends up being salvaged, then it's gonna be a problem. Some insurance don't even cover salvaged rebuilt cars, and if they do: they might even raise the rates on payment due to higher risks....Find someone to clear the title, I heard this was possible.
If the price of repairs is more than the BB value of the car then they total it. They want to give you the lesser of the 2 values. If it costs $3k to fix a $1000 car, they want to give you the lower price. Depending on the car, you can try to dispute it. You can look on autotrader and like websites and try to establish an actual "market value". You will need at least 10 listings printed to prove it.

For example, if you look up the KBB value of a TURBO Supra with 150k miles it is:
Condition Value
Excellent $18,000
Good $16,705
Fair $14,990

They actually sell for more like $30k give or take in the real market. The insurance company will try to give you $15k. You can also go to an "expert" and have them appraise the car for market value.