Unfortunately the DV claim is wholly separate. Further, Georgia is a “Total Loss Formula” state.
The equation is roughly ....
if (repair cost + salvage value at auction) > book_value_of_car, then they total the vehicle and cut you a check.
If it’s less, they press forward with the repair.
and even worse ... you don’t get a choice in the matter. It’s solely the insurance company’s decision.
Absolutely sucks — I feel awful for you. At $29k repair, I have a feeling you’re asymptotically approaching book value, but not going over. Honestly with that much work to do, I hope for your sake they find something else wrong so you can get out of it and get a new car.
Sorry to see this. Been there, done that, got the hole in my checking account to prove it. :-(