Rob, a few things:

     First off, on anger over losing your bus, I'll put this simply:
There are more busses, but your wife is a one-off (I'm assuming ;) ).
I'm not trying to say that you've forgotten your wife in this one because
I'm sure you haven't.  It is just pointing out that a little perspective
goes a long way in such situations because.....
     Your bus is gonna get totaled.  A front quarter hit pretty much does
it to a Vanagon.  Your aduster and a body shop person are gonna have to
take a look at it to see if the frame beams under the floor boards are
shot, but it'll probably be totaled.

     As to your questions about insurance and such, I have a few more
questions.  Did you get a police report?  I'm not sure if Utah is a
no-fault state, but what the cops say about fault pretty much goes here
in Ohio.

     When they decide to total your van, make sure that you have the
opportunity to buy it back from the insurance company.  I'm not sure how
much it will be, but you'll have a salvage title and have a lot of work
to do.  I'd imply the threat of legal complications if the insurance guy
won't make you a good deal on the salvage.

     Which brings me to my last point.  I've seen Vanagons that have been
brought back from a front quarter hit.  It takes lots of work, but it is
doable.  Mark Keller, a listie from Northern Ohio, has a 91 Carat
(Lazurus) that was bought with a salvage title and had a front quarter
clip welded on.  It looks beautiful.

    I hope that this helps.

_________________________________________________________

Bob O'Shaughnessy,         Columbus, OH
vanagon@columbus.rr.com
85GL (awaiting Multivan interior)
74 Bus (Dad's)
72 Wife, 94 Rabbit, 95 Cat, 96 cat, 98 Kid