Don't accept their first offer!
Hi Mylee,
I've just seen your story for the first time -soory to hear about the accident, but glad you're ok.
I had a total loss back in 2002 (see www.skidmarks.co.uk) and the insurers offered me £2,500, which I politely declined, the value at the time being up to £4,500.
Within a couple of days, they came back with £3,500! I went to the autotrader site and printed out all the ads for top-price Beats (all the £4,999 trade hopefuls) and faxed them over. Their 'final' offer came back at £4,200, which I accepted, less the £50 excess.
I then asked to keep the wreck, which they wanted about £600 for. Bought another, poor condition Beat for just over 2 grand, took the best bits from each, got it tickled up and re-sprayed, then sold the remains. Ended up about even. Still a very happy beat owner.
I hope that inspires you to be tough with the insurers. Good luck!
-Jc.