Either your car is totaled or it is not.  If it is totaled, then you are due the ACV of the vehicle at the time of loss.  You can check the value of your car online at sites like www.kellybluebook.com and others.  Have you had the damage estimated by a reputable body shop?  If not, do so.  This will let you know if it cost more to repair the car than the total value of the car (definition for the car being totaled).  If you agree to it being totaled, then you would pay a small amout for the salvage to keep the car. Alot of people like this option as you get the money for the car and also get to keep the car.  If you know someone that can do the body work cheaply, then you have the best of both worlds.  Where are you and the insurance company differing on the value? Is their something that they are not putting into the value of the car--CD player, alloy wheels, condition being fair or good or excellent, etc.  Read our article Car Insurance Process for Your Totaled Car-Total Loss. Hopefully this can help you negotiate a win/win for you and the insurance company.