Your car may have substantial value as a salvage due to used parts demand. Salvage value is part of insurer's calculation and often driving force behind scrapping the car. This often leads to minor accidents resulting in a write-off.

Now, for a substantial accident it is always better to scrap the car. Repaired car is never as good as an accident-free and worth less as a trade in. When writing off your car insurance will always attempt to low-ball you, and you don't have to accept first offer. Make sure to check Canadian Black Book and Autotrader to establish value for comparable cars.