Your car is a 2004 Neon?
That doesnt sound right...
Your saying the insurance company totalled it
for a hood, fenders and bumper cover?
Is the book value only $520.00???
1) Did the airbag deploy?
2) Is the front frame damaged at all..
If the front box (frame) is bent and it
needed a new air bag module I could
see why they totalled it. That would make sense.
But for just the front sheetmetal/bumper cover
cosmetic, I don't see it.. but that's just me...
Did you get an official copy of the estimate?
or the writeup which spelled out all of the damage? Or did they just say "Sorry- totalled!".
I think they would give you something paper wise
explaining all of the damage and the cost versus
the current book value of the car.
Regardless, if they totalled it, they totalled it.
Keep this in mind, if the insurance company totals it, the title will get updated.
If you "fix" the car cosmetically, and then get into an accident and somebody gets hurt - they
could hold you liable for "fixing" that totalled car. Most folks won't take that risk...
good luck!