Tim,
I use Hanneken Ins., they represent many companies as Trapper 7 was saying. I am currently with Western National, I get the bare bones minimum, pay for a year at a time, just checked last years premium, $279 for the year. I wonder if Ralph Hanneken, our district 4 director is part of the Hanneken insurance family.

I believe it's true that it's cheaper to total it, than repair it.
The insurance companies , then own it, and sell it to a recycle center.

Often an insurance company will total a vehicle if it's damage is reasonably close to the value of it because once a body shop starts repairing it, they could find other damage.
Most insurance companies don't want the salvage and will offer it back to the insured for about 1/3 wholesale value. I had that happen many times over the years I was in the business.

Yeah good luck getting paid for a claim using independent ins agents. I had 4 different people hit my vehicles and EVERY one of them balked and whined. I was sitting at a red light in a 2011 chevy silverado had 1100 miles on it. Some kid hit me with alpha ins . They wouldn't even pay to fix my truck. Farm bureau paid then went after them. After FB attorney got involved they should have just paid the claim. Guy hit my wife with Auto owners. Same thing. Think they went under...