Auto Insurance Claims: buying my totaled vehicle, worst case scenario, salvage value

Question
i rolled my 2010 focus 2 weeks ago and the insurance is paying 11000 and gap is paying 6000 plus my deductible  i asked about buying my car back and my ins (aarp)  is giving me the run around first they said i wouldn't want the vehicle as it was upside down. then they said gap owns it but gap told me the ins does . then my ins told me gap wouldn't pay for the additional amount which after talking to gap again said wasn't true  so now my ins told me they want 10k for the car which is only valued at 11k are they aloud to sell it at that high of a price?  claim was made in Maine    i just want to make sure there not just trying to keep my from buying the car  

thanks Aaron

Answer
So far as I know, the gap insurance should not impact your ability to retain the salvage.  it appears that is what the gap insurer told you, so I'll assume it is correct.

I suspect the adjuster made an honest mistake about that, as this is not a question that comes up very often.

If you retain the salvage, the insurer will deduct the amount they estimate they could have sold it for.   Once you settle, the insurer owns the vehicle and has the right to sell it.  The problem is that it is very hard to estimate salvage value.  The auctioneers at the salvage yard are good sources.  You could call them and ask.  $10,000 sounds REALLY high for salvage value on any vehicle.  Not saying it isn't reasonable, but it sounds very high to me based on the little information I have.  Call a few salvage yards ad ask them to estimate the salvage value after you describe the damage and condition.  If $10k is way off, call back and make your case.  if you don't get satisfaction, you can ask for the manager.  Worst case scenario, you  can complain to the state insurance dept.