Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance company did not total my car with extensive damage., gap insurance, insurance papers

Question
After being rear ended, my car suffered extensive damage; it was wrecked in the rear and in the front. After sending my car to the dealership, an authorized collision center of the insurance company. I was told that the car suffered extensive damage and the body shop attendant was waiting on the insurance company to make the call of fixing the car or totaling it. Two days before my car was finished, my stepfather received a letter from the insurance stating the damage in dollar amount ($9200) for a car I paid $13,000 for 7 months prior, not the retail value now. I am still not sure why the letter was mailed to my stepfather house...his name is nowhere on the insurance papers or the registration.

Now after the quick background...My question is was I suppose to authorize the repair. Also, was the damage amount supposed to be brought to my attention before the car has been repaired. What are my rights? If the car would have been totaled..I would not have to worry about this if the insurance company would have totaled the car that suffered $9200 worth of damage to a car that is valued between $11,500-12,000, GAP insurance would have kicked in.  
What do I do?
What can I do..because the car is

Answer
Hi Lakita,

Yes you should have been informed of the amount. Yes you should have signed a work authorization. Unfortunately though, in most cases it is the insurance company's decision to determine if the vehicle should be repaired or totaled. In most states the insurance company can repair a vehicle up to 100% of it's value.  Since the vehicle has already been repaired, there is nothing you can do except that you can pursue the at-fault persons insurance company for the diminished value of the car. To learn more about diminished value, visit www.collisionclaims.com .

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh