You think you’re finally catching a break. You put in a new engine, your car starts purring again, and for a brief, shining moment, everything feels right in the universe. Then your insurance company comes charging in, waving paperwork and declaring your car “totaled.” Suddenly you’re wondering if you can refuse their payout, keep your ride, and defend the honor of all the money you just sunk into it. Spoiler: you can push back, but it comes with a few twists, a couple of tradeoffs, and a small mountain of decision-making.