You are right, it is so easy to salvage a car these days with a minimal of damage. It all depends on the insurance adjustor, and if he thinks that the car is only worth $5000 and the damage is more than $3000 (60%), then it is a salvaged car. And, $3000 these days will just rapair a fender damage!! It is then up to the owner to fight them and show that the car is worth more and have them fix it.