We are getting off Gregg's original subject but here is what happened to me. You can check out my damage at the same site.
http://www.autoworksracing.com/johns%20cobra.htm
My damage was caused by hitting the side of a pickup truck at over 60 mph whose driver had decided to enter my lane from the side of the hwy.
Damage/Insurance: I don't think you get the choice of writing off the car. That determination is made by the insurance company. My damage was about 22K which is far less than the car is worth. Consideration was given to replacing the body but in the end I am happy we did not go with this as the delivery time from BDR on many of the parts is the longest lead time. I am sure the body would have taken months. The body work has been finished for over a month and they could have finished it in a few weeks. We are waiting for parts which in my case was front suspension, steering and new side pipe. I know my insurance company checked what these cars are worth. Yes I could have taken the 22K but I don't have the other 26K to build a replacement.
Have you looked at what is being charged these days to fix damaged cars? My neighbor recently had an accident in his pickup. Not his fault. Some minor damage to the rear and the front. 12K. They did not write it off. They fixed it.
BTW as I tried to avoid the idiot I remember shouting out You as&^^%$^. I got out of the car and was amassed there wasn’t more damage. Along with the strength of the BDR I was also amazed with the stability as the car stayed in a straight line and I didn’t get tossed into the other lanes which were jammed pack with traffic.