Sometimes a vehicle is marked as a “total loss” after an accident. That basically means it would cost more to repair your it than it’s actually worth. You’ll often find this is the case on much older cars with extensive repairs needed, but it also could be something as simple as a bent body frame.
However, if there is minimal damage or you don’t have the cash on hand needed to pay your deductible, you may hesitate to get your car repaired. While this may be ok if you own the car outright, it is possible that your insurance company won’t let you skip repairs if there is still an open loan on the car. This is because the car isn’t technically yours until it’s paid off. Even if you’re making monthly payments toward the balance in hopes of one day paying it off, the car still belongs to the bank till that happens, and any lender will want the car to be functioning without damage while it is still their asset.
If you own the vehicle, your insurance company will most likely give you the option to either repair it or consider the car totaled. Read the fine print or contact your insurance agent for help understanding which option might be relevant to you.