Your insurer cannot act in conflict to your interest, Do not let your insurer control your asset. It is your car and your choice what happens to it. Make sure you do not let them take it to their repairer or salvage - you are entitled to have your car repaired up to the market value. The first thing is to ascertain the market value of your car, so you know what you can repair up to. Ask the insurer for an engineers copy of their Audatex estimate if they have had one of their approved repairers evidence the repair cost. If the repair costs are greater than the value of the car, advise the repairer that you would be happy for them to source and use "green parts" to make it a viable repair. You want to avoid dealing with the claim on a total basis at all cost, but should you need to, yes you can retain the salvage - it is your car. You can also always cancel the claim if needed and claim directly from the third party using a claims management company. Your entitlement is here www.honestjohn.co.uk/insurance/coles-v-hetherton-w.../