Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance claim, value dollar, insurance money

Question
Dear Richard.
My name is Luis and I got rear ended on my 1988 Mercedes.
The other pary insurance total my car but, I just rebuild the engine and the transmission about 16 months a go, and the insurance company offer to pay the value of the car only. Do I have a rigth to make them fix my car?, how do I deal with them because the are trained to save the insurance money and I have no experience on that.
Thank you very much.
I really can use your help, I'll be very graiful.

Answer
Hi Louis,

Unfortunately, the decision to either repair or total the car is solely up to the insurance company. Generally they will total the vehicle is the cost of repairs is at or above 75% of the vehicles value. You can not force them to repair the car.

As far as the value is concerned, if available, you should provide them with receipts for the engine and transmission rebuild. It will not increase the value dollar for dollar but is should increase the value by several hundred dollars.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh