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Herb,
I'm looking at it with a somewhat well-trained eye. I learned from some real pros in auto body (and worked for them).
#1. Your car is very totaled.
#2. Here is why:
The hood isn't misaligned because the right side quarter is pushed in, as much as it is misaligned from the front end shifted. It is hard to tell the direction of hit, but from the glancing hit, I'm guessing that the front structure is shifted left. That is why the left quarter is misaligned with the hood. Either that, or the right side hit caused the right frame structure to collapse backwards, thereby moving the hood to the right.
I'd say just by looking at it, the damage shifted the frame structure about an inch, and I'm guessing to the left. Either that, or again, back, and to the right. It is hard to tell from pictures.
The steering is another issue, and might have a lot to do with a bent tie rod or collapsed control arm. Either of them is not fatal to the car, and is rather easily fixed.
However, in total, the car is going to need several thousand (USD) of work. Probably closing in on four grand if you're lucky. It's too bad, because unless the frame has 'accordion' damage (shoved in on itself in a straight line) it's an easy stretch and align job.
Unfortunately, when dealing with insurance, you're looking at a totaled vehicle. The frame alignment time is significant. The parts are not hideously expensive, but the labor intensive straightening process is.
If you had equipment, you could straighten that damage yourself, rather easily. However, it is impractical for most people to either acquire that equipment, or spend the time necessary to do so. If you get the wreck for cheap, you can probably save EVERY BIT of front sheet metal. The hood is easy to fix, the quarter panel is also an easy fix (but they are super cheap) and then the bumper, cover, etc., is an easy mounting job. But the straightening part is the problematic area, and in the process of dismantling the front end of the vehicle, you might find that it is FAR worse than you thought.
Basically, if the car were worth about $5k more, it would be an excellent candidate for repairing. Volvos--contrary to many uninformed opinions--are excellent cars for repairing after being accident damaged, even "frame damaged" (which is a misnomer with unit frame vehicles because almost every hit is a frame damage hit). There is a limit to practical reconstruction, but in your case, the car took a light hit and is certainly a candidate for fixing. The question boils down to an issue of cost, nothing more.
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chris herbst, near chicago
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