Rear-ended on Friday in San Diego, can it be saved? Options

[tango-52]

My oldest son (21) and my wife were driving back from taking the dogs (2 welsh terriers) to the dog park. Friday afternoon freeway traffic. Cars in front of them came to a sudden stop, with the car immediately in front of them actually veering into the emergency parking. My son stopped without hitting anyone. Then this teenager (had his license for two months) behind them locks up his brakes and plows into our '73 914. No one was seriously hurt, but my wife has been sore for a couple of days. The kid was driving a Dodge Strattos, and it didn't get much damage. On the Porsche, the rear trunk lid looks ok. The lower valence is smashed and rubbing on the right tire. The right fender is hitting the tire. The top of the left fender is rubbing the tire (it was a close fit before the accident). The brand new Bursch exhaust is smashed and I would bet the heat exchangers are tweeked. The interior of the trunk is crumpled and the rest of the back end is bent in. Apparently he was hard on his brakes and the nose submarined under our car. He even missed the tail lights. Here are some photos:
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The question is, is this repairable? I know it is going to be a fight with the insurance company about the value and I read Dr. Evil's story so I am preparing for that. It just really pisses me off because I had just gotten it running great! The Bursch was really nice. Should I see this as an opportuinty for wide wheelwells and to replace the rusted trunk floor, or is this too much structural damage to save? I checked the gaps around both doors and there is no evidence that the damage went any further than the rear wheelwells. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[tango-52]

UPDATE – Last week the insurance company offered $4900 and they would take the car. I explained (strongly) that I had over $4000 in receipts, copies of which I had provided to their adjuster in the field, as well as the NADA estimates of $7300 to $11000. She said she had never received those from the adjuster. She also stated that they had determined that the car was a total. She asked me to send her copies of my receipts. I did that on Thursday and when I totaled up the receipts, it was about $6100! She called back this morning and said that they had reevaluated the claim. They were willing to give me $7625, I get to keep the car, but it will have a salvage title. They are getting close, as I figure I can get the repairs done for this price, but I am still concerned about the salvage title. What does this mean in the long run? I got the car because I love 914s, not because I was looking for an investment. Any opinions?

[rick 918-S]

UPDATE – Last week the insurance company offered $4900 and they would take the car. I explained (strongly) that I had over $4000 in receipts, copies of which I had provided to their adjuster in the field, as well as the NADA estimates of $7300 to $11000. She said she had never received those from the adjuster. She also stated that they had determined that the car was a total. She asked me to send her copies of my receipts. I did that on Thursday and when I totaled up the receipts, it was about $6100! She called back this morning and said that they had reevaluated the claim. They were willing to give me $7625, I get to keep the car, but it will have a salvage title. They are getting close, as I figure I can get the repairs done for this price, but I am still concerned about the salvage title. What does this mean in the long run? I got the car because I love 914s, not because I was looking for an investment. Any opinions?

1) Did you go out and get estimate for the cost to repair the damage? I can't tell from the photos but it looks like a very nice repair will have it back in shape in no time.

Advise: Tell your company you will think about their offer, then take the time off from work, get the car to a proper 914 saavy repair shop and get a hard number. Then you'll know if their evaluation of the damage is valid.

2) Did they provide you with a copy of their estimate for damage. They need to send you a copy.

Advise: Get one and bring it with you to the repair shop.

Comment: My goal would be to take their offer of $ 7625.00 and then get an estimate in writting that states there will be no supplement. In MN the damage can't exceed 70%. So if the car can be repaired for say... $ 5000.00 they can't total it.

And Ask Kelly what the case law is with regard to a vehicle that is:

"mostly repairable" I think classic cars can exceed this 70% rule because of their rising values. At one point a car that would have totaled at just over 70% could likely increase in value their for changes the rules of the game. Can't remember the details and your state laws could very.