When the insurance company totals the car, the insurance company is buying it from the driver. It very well may turn around and sell it to a salvage company, b

When the insurance company totals the car, the insurance company is buying it from the driver. It very well may turn around and sell it to a salvage company, but they don’t have to. The most likely outcome in this situation is that the insurance company uses this car for parts, either in partnership with a salvage company or on their own. It happened to us a few years ago. When we went to sign the paperwork we commented on how strange it all felt and the insurance rep said not to worry - the car was worth more for parts than as a repaired vehicle.