<prompt> Human: Was in an accident last week that caused damage to front end of car hood is bent up, I coudnt open it after accident, grill is damaged, probably more damage because I couldnt see inside but car is still drivable. Repair estimates where 1000-1500. Progressive says car is worth about a grand probably because there is a lot of scratches and scrapes on the body and the flex pipe is broke. Its a 2004 Hyundai Elantra with about 50K miles on it. As it will cost me more than 1500 to buy a new or used car, I would like to get it fixed. I dont care if the car is declared a total loss, Id just like to get it back so I can get it fixed and get a recommendation for a body shop cause I have no idea where to to take it. How should approach Progressive to get this done? I am in Illinois. I have not yet talked to whoever is handling my claim at the company, just the repair guys. Also, this is being handled under collision cause I rear ended someone.  <response>: you need to keep in mind that there are potentially hidden costs in this repair. i run a collision shop and we see this kind of stuff all the time. the repair guys may have just eyeballed the car and told you around 1500 or so to repair it, and even if they did write up an estimate, you need to account for other parts that you cannot see being damaged, such as the front bumpers impact beam, energy absorber, the stay brackets that hold the impact beam on, radiator, condenser, time to tie down the vehicle and pull the nose back over if its moved, etc...you will not have a solid repair estimate until the vehicle is taken apart for a proper collision inspection.personally? dont waste the money fixing it. youre better off taking whatever they give you and putting it towards something else. youre only giving yourself a headache attempting to get the vehicle repaired and you will have to pay out more than the insurance company is giving you. 