[Mr 5 0]

First: Do not accept any checks from the insurance company...yet!

If you have proof that your Mustang is worth more than it will cost to repair it, you can probably persuade the insurance company to pay for the repairs.

You need to fight it out with the insurance adjuster as to the actual cash value of the ' 92 Mustang, which is obviously worth way over 'book' value with only 27,000 miles on it and (pre-accident) in flawless condition. Don't let him brush the car off as if it were a normal '92 with faded paint, rust spots and 150,000 miles on the odometer. It isn't.

First, get an honest, realistic repair estimate as to what it will cost to 'bring the car back' to like-new condition. Find a good shop that can actually do this kind of specialized work and cares about the finished product and not just shoving another 'job' out the door to collect a check. Get their signed estimate. This is free...they want the work.

Then, you need to have the Mustang appraised by a licensed dealer/appraiser (this costs money - but is worth it) - ignoring the damage - and use that figure, which will be a lot more than 'book' value - to justify your contention that repairing the car will not cost more than it's actually worth and so, it is not a 'total'.

Of course, if the necessary repair does exceed the actual value of your 'Stang, you are stuck with a 'total' and yes, if that happens, you should definitely offer to buy it back from the insurance company...and then have it repaired.

If all the damage is on the side of the car it is probably repairable as that is mostly just sheet metal and can be replaced with a new door skin, quarter panel, fender, new trim, etc. When you have the repairs done, use new sheet metal, no old stuff and of course, be aware that 'new' squeaks and rattles may occur now and of course, the car is no longer 'mint' and 'all original' if you want to sell it. It's value has been diminished for re-sale (CarFax is watching) but as long as it can be made to look like new and you love the car, by all means try to get the insurance adjuster to see it your way and pay for the repairs. Then, go back to enjoying your Mustang...and stay out of trouble!

I wish you well.

EDIT:

In some states - check your policy carefully - you can request that the insurance company replace your car with a 1992 Mustang in 'like condition', including the ridiculously low mileage. As that won't ever happen, you can then demand that your car be repaired in lieu of the company replacing it. If you are stonewalled, you can always file a complaint with your state Insurance Commissioner. Insurance companies don't like having these complaints on file and if the difference between a total and a repair is not huge, they may just give you the repair cost. I did this - successfully - some years back. Of course, this all takes time and you're in a hurry...forget it.

I also have managed to save another old car I once owned that was wrecked (a then-16 year old Camaro) from the 'total' designation by doing some of the repair work, myself, with the help of a friend who actually knew what he was doing. That helped me hold the final repair cost down to a level that was under the car's 'book' value ('book' was minimal but they allowed a fair price for a full restoration I had recently completed..including a new engine, paint, interior, etc.) I 'saved' the car - it came out fine as there was no mechanical damage...just sheet metal - with no salvage title to deal with and no out-of-pocket cost to me...just some hands-on labor, which I didn't mind a bit. You might consider this approach, too.

I'm not an insurance adjuster but my wife was an insurance claims supervisor (auto and home) at a major insurance company for quite some time and you learn a few things by osmosis, as it were. In addition, I sold auto policies for a few years (for the same company) so I have some knowledge of how the claims process works, plus the benefit of my personal experience. Be warned that each state has it's own, distinct insurance laws and regs and what is O.K. in one state may be forbidden in another. Also, each insurance company has a similar but always slightly different process for adjusting claims. One adjuster may be 'tough' while another is a bit more 'felexible' on some aspects of the claim. Holding down claim costs is always paramount to any insurance company and it's claim adjusters are keenly aware of this fact so you have to be your own advocate and fight for the best settlement or they will gladly pay you the least amount you will accept. It's part of their job. As long as you can deal halfway knowledgably with them (without being a jerk about it) most are not unreasonable (but some can be).

As for used parts: 'HotRoddin' is correct...the company does not have to pay for new sheet metal parts. The reasoning is that your '92 had 13-year-old sheet metal when you had your accident so the insurance company is under no obligation to do more than 'make you whole'...that is, restore your car to what it was pre-accident. That means with 'old' sheet metal. However, while the factory fenders are going to be better quality than repro's, to fit your '92 Fox-bodied Mustang, they are also going to be at least a dozen years old - minimum - and might very well have some rust or small dents on them, which is very common with junkyard (used) body parts. That is an extra expense you will have to restore the old fenders, etc to like-new condition. Some 'New Old Stock' sheet metal parts may still be available for your Mustang - check the catalogs. They won't be bargain priced like the cheaper repro's but you may want to pay the difference to keep your beloved Mustang 'mint'. Something to consider.

I trust you aren't becoming confused with too much information but without being there to personally advise you, step-by-step, this is the best anyone can do. I hope it helps.