I’ve never dealt with a situation like this etc as it’s my first car. Does buying replacement parts/tearing down the car on your own affect or cause issues with insurance companies and estimates etc
You should talk with the ins agent before doing anything.
And remember the ins co is going to try to pay you the least they can get you to agree to.
Unless things have changed in CA I the last 18 years.
If the damage was not your fault you go to whatever repair shop you want to and get 1 estimate. You can get more estimates but the other insurance co can not make you go to a particular shop or not accept your estimate.
Then they cut you a check.
You can have a shop do the work, keep the cash and sell the car, do the work yourself?
What ever you do do not let them "scrap" the car and do not give them the title
