My question involves insurance law for the state of: CALIFORNIA
I have mercury insurance currently, and I was in a minor collision which totals about 6k worth of damage. My car is worth about 12k in its condition and mileage, according to kbb, nada, edmunds, and the used car market in general. with only 50% of the value being compromised, my car wont be totaled since this company totals a car at 75%. My car however is a lemon buyback.
A couple of concerns here. The insurance company never asked me about the title status when i signed up, other than whether or not it was a salvage. Will they look deep enough into the car history, and find out it is a lemon and lower my cars value if I submit a claim? Im afraid they will declare my car a total loss if they take this title branding into consideration. I havent moved forward with the claim process yet, and I feel like if I ask them this question myself that theyll definitely devalue it.
Secondly, is it standard practice in california to receive a check from the insurance company to pay for damages, or is it strictly sent to the body shop with the adjuster verifying the completed work? They want 4500 just to fix a bumper and fender. I could do it myself for about 800, and put the rest of that money into something more important than shiny paint and body panels.
Thanks in advance for the advice.

