Auto Insurance Claims: salvage title, salvage title, state dmv

Question
I was hit by a drunk driver and my ford explorer was called a total loss by the other driver's insurance.  After several phone calls they have agreed to pay for the lowest estimate to repair my car.  However, they stated that they already declared it a total to the dmv and it has a salvage title.  We never surrendered the title.  Is there a way to get the salvage title off after we get it repaired?

Answer
In most states the salvage certificate is not issued until the owner submits his title to the state DMV. If you are sure that the VIN associated with your car has been offically declared as one being from a total loss, then contact your state DMV to see about having the total loss designation removed. If they can't reverse the status on your VIN, then you at least have a valid claim for diminished value, which will provide you with monetary compensation for the loss of value associated with the damage history.