I have had this problem before, too. It occurs to me that the insurance companies have a good scam going - they total your car for next to nothing, keep the car and sell themselves for salvage, then you buy a new car with the corresponding higher premiums. I successfully fought that battle with my ranger when someone ran into me a few years ago. I argued that I can't replace my vehicle for what they were going to give me, and I had my engine rebuilt the previous year. They repaired the truck and I kept my title, but I had to do some hard (abrasive) negotiating. The salvage title would make your car more difficult to sell, but you can get insurance.