Auto Insurance Claims: Stolen and Recovered car, 2002 dodge intrepid, unseen damage

Question
My paid off car, a 2002 Dodge Intrepid has 72K miles. It was stolen and recovered after just one day. It has at least $1600 damage; bent top of door frame, inside door handle snapped off, window off track and inside the door, steering column damage and ignition removed. The engine was left running in the Florida heat for at least 15 hours before it ran out of gas, this was confirmed by people that saw it running early in the morning but did not think anything of it until they returned home from work to see it still running. The car ran out of gas while they were waiting on the police to arrive. I am concerned there maybe unseen damage to the engine. The temperature gauge was in the red when the police arrived. The repair shop is going to give their final estimate to State Farm on Monday after running another engine diagnostic and doing another test drive. Would I come out better if I ask State Farm for the $1600 dollars they would have paid to have the car repaired minus my $100 deductible (grandfathered in policy) and then sell car as-is myself to a rebuilder or salvage yard OR should I let them fix the obvious damage, except of course for the previously bad ac compressor, and then sell it in the paper to a private person if I can for around $2000 to $2500?  I estimate I could get $3000 to $3500 in its' pre-theft condition if the A/C were functional. Since I have never had an accident or had my car stolen before I do not know what to ask for or to expect from the insurance company. What is your opinion in this situation?

Answer
Hi Felicia,

The insurance company will issue the check to you for the repairs. What you do with the money is totally up to you. So you can either sell the vehicle "as is" or you can have it repaired and then sell it. It's hard for me to say which is beter for you. That will depend on if there is any engine damage found as well as what the used car market is like where you live.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh