Auto Insurance Claims: Total Loss - Changed to Repairable, google search, safety function

Question
I have a 2004 Jaguar XType.  I recently hit a deer.  The estimator employeed by the collision center certified as a State Farm Adjustor indicated that the information uploaded in State Farm's system showed the car was a total loss.  The claims rep agreed and began to crunch the numbers pertaining to the payout/payoff for the car until she realized the mileage was very low which she claims added $1700 to the value of the car.  The additional value she placed on the vehicle now made it repairable.  My point is the car is still damaged to the extent that the body is not repairable the mileage should not be factored in.  How can I dispute this?  I have told the claims rep that I am not willing to accept the vehicle is repairable simply becuase the mileage is low.  What can I do, I don't want the car back as it will essentially a salvage even though the title won't say that.  HELP!

Answer
When an insurer, or anyone else for that matter, decides whether a car is a total loss, the issue is this:  does it make economic sense to repair the vehicle?  If the vehicle can be repaired at a cost that is lower than the value of the vehicle, it is repairable.

Now a couple other factors must also be considered.  Can the vehicle be repaired to the point where it will be in pre-loss condition with regard to safety, appearance, and function?  If the answer is yes, and the cost is lower than the value, it is repairable.

One final factor -- in some states, the law sets a threshold for repair, like 80%.  This means that if the repair cost exceeds 80% of value, the car must be totaled.  Only some states have this law, and the percentage may vary from state to state.  Do a google search to see if there is such a law in your state, and whether this applies.  I doubt it, because I'm sure the adjuster would be aware if this was applicable.

Ask the repair shop if they believe they can safely repair the vehicle to pre-loss condition with regard to safety,  function, and appearance.  If they have trouble doing this, it will become their problem.  They provide the repair warranty; State Farm only backs it up.  If the shop is uneasy about this, they will need to tell State Farm.  If they have no concerns, then you shouldn't either.  Believe me when I tell you that they will say so if they are uneasy, because they do not want that headache.  Also ask the shop if they believe it is likely they will find a lot of additional damage once they start tearing the damaged parts off.  How complete do they think their initial estimate is?  If they think the repair cost will increase substantially, then State Farm needs to know this, as it will make them more likely to total the car.

Now you seem to think that mileage is not a factor.  But it is, because it affects the value of the car, and this is a major factor when deciding if the car is repairable.

State Farm is not trying to get over on you - they are simply following the law and your policy.  When a car has this much damage, some people insist on repairing it and some insist on totaling it.  The insurer must decide which is the correct thing to do, as opposed to doing what people prefer.