i was thinking about the total/fix dilema, i'm fairly sure in canada, the insurance is required to give you market value of the vehicle when they total it, then it's theirs, i don't think you can buy it back, if you choose to keep it, they give you 80% of the value of a shop to repair it, if that 80% is more than the value if they total it, they won't give you the full amount... though i tihnk the insurance company can condemn it if they feel it's too much damage
also, in canada, if your vehicle has been changed to a salvage title, it has to undergo a very through inspection before you will be allowed to register it again... they look for frame rust, holes anywhere, if there is rust on the body which results in a pin sized hole, it will not pass, if you have a switch on your dash that doesn't function, it will not pass...