Don't repair anything, or don't have insurance pay to repair it anyway. Make them pay to replace it; cut you a check and then you can go get whatever you can repaired.

My light wreck (see: http://spirit.netwiz.net/~antarius/v...integra/wreck/) resulted in $700 repair invoice, or a $3600 REPLACEMENT invoice.

I had (and am actually having this done, not just making money on it) them REPLACE the hood, REPLACE the bumper, REPLACE the fender, REPLACE EVERYTHING that so much as got an extra molecule of air placed onto it by the accident.

Goes into the shop in a week and a half (damn slackers).
By law they have to pay to bring it back to like-OEM condition, which is not bondo'd repaired shiz, it's all brand new if you so wish =].