The % has dropped, parts availability, and the time frame for repair are certainly reasons why insurance companies are totaling vehicles at a higher rate than before. Another is what $$ amount salvage vehicles are bringing in at auction. I heard lots of people I sold parts to complaining about auction prices. The higher the better for the insurance company.

In Texas, I have the right to have my vehicle repaired at the shop of my choosing, not sure if this applies in your state, country, but this too can be a factor.

Let say I'm dealing with Progressive, naturally Progressive will want my car repaired at one of their DRP locations. However, I choose another body shop that does good work, but is not a DRP for Progressive. All the discounts, and certainly "cycle time" agreements, that Progressive gets from the DRP shop are gone. Insurance companies could also be holding the bag on little stuff too, like storage. Insurance adjusters are not quick to check damage to a vehicle at an independent body shop that is not a DRP. It sometimes takes weeks to get an adjuster out there, if they go at all. The body shops are having to take the extra time to take pictures, etc.., stuff that an adjuster used to do, just get a repair job. The cost adds up.

Totaling a vehicle is the easiest way to avoid any difficulties down the road.

Back on topic.

Even clear titled vehicles can have major damage but still not have a salvage or rebuilt title. This one was mine, I let it go, but I could have bought it back, repaired, then sold it, and it would have had a clean title with only a report of an accident.

It was fuched, and never would have driven right again, IMHO. Looks minor though.

https://stat.vin/es/cars/19UUA76677A036700

Xactly.

Lost my Mazda DD that way.

Got golf balled by hail twice.

First time they fixed it and thing looked brand new. Amazing what a skilled PDR guy can do. You literally could not tell.

Fast forward 5 years and it gets golf balled again. Not as bad as the first time except it looked like someone took a baseball bat to the drivers side mirror.

I was shocked when they totaled it.

Shoulda bought that one back.

I'll put this in the "I dunno" category. I had a neighbor who made a living buying/reselling salvage title vehicles. He specialized in small pickups and looked for the ones that only needed bed replacement.

Told me one thing that helped was him knowing which beds fit various model years.

In this case, his customers got a useful truck at a low price...he was about full disclosure.

So, depends on the vehicle, what you want it for?