seriously, insurance adjusters are will total anything and everything these days. I looked at the pics again, and feel 100% confident i could repair that...

 

Airbags are so expensive that they usually total the car. They do quotes of Full replacement parts and go against KBB or one of those books. So its pretty much repair car vs current car value. I done it before and the price goes up high and they also include labor in the estimates. Also we only see the external damage. If the trans has any damage that will also totally the car quickly.

You also have the buy back option which people do but he was relocating so not really an option for him.

 

The best option, based on the pics, was to toal OP's car. There's no telling what kind of damage was done underneath the hood and to the frame.

 

Truth be told...

No body wants you to leave.

I hope you conquer Alaska with a Ralliart!

 

Just arrived in Alaska today. Seen quite a few subies around, but very few mits. Hoping to get an evo when I leave here in two years.