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Hello, I recently had my first accident after 20+years of driving - Totally my fault. I took my car in to get an insurance estimate which came out to close to $2400 (my car is only worth about $3500 before accident) they took out my $500 deductible and a $1900 check was sent to me in the mail. I also received a check for around $25 for diminished value So Here's my questions - I am sure the diminished value for my car is more than $25. How would I fight that with the insurance company ? and since the damages are already close to the 80% ($3500*80% =$2800) the point where most cars are totaled by the insurance company, would it be worth it to ask for more or will it only bump me into a position of having my car totaled?? My car runs fine and the damage is mostly to the side door panels. I would really do not want to have it totaled. I have gap coverage and my loan would be covered, but I do not want to get into a newer more expensive car and car payment. In addition to even higher insurance rates with a newer car+accident on record. I already had a plan to have all of my debt paid off by July 2016. My plans now are to use the $1900 and pay down debt ( about half), so I can be debt free closer to the end of this year. and have the work done once I'm debt free, or whenever I am ready to sell/ trade in. I am unsure of how this all works and I still haven't cashed the checks, in case that would constitute acceptance. I would like to get this figured out as soon as possible so I can deposit the check and get on with paying my debt off. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA SC