At 30mph, that's a very substantial impact.

The parts for that fix are very expensive. Not so much the hood and quarter panels, but the sundry parts inside the front sheet metal. The condenser is probably shot too, but I've seen it quite often where the condenser stays intact while the radiator splits apart. There is definitely frame work to be done on the car. Most impacts of that type stay forward of the passenger compartment, affecting only the front sheetmetal.

What usually totals the car is the airbags and pyrotechnic seatbelts. It's not unusual, especially with an 850, to run up $2000 in airbags and seat belts alone. Even with cheap front sheet metal, when you start adding up the plastic parts in the front end, frame time, SRS components, and refinishing, the bill mounts quickly and soon exceeds the insurance company's repair allocation. Especially if they specify Volvo-only parts. That runs up the tab in no time at all. (Airbags and belts are NOT available from anywhere else but Volvo, or from a used Volvo that's been parted.).

That's not a guarantee that the car is totaled, but with your description of the impact, it sounds as if it's very likely. That is a very common thing with FWD Volvos--totaled because of parts prices. Let us know what happens.

Glad to hear you both walked out of it. I wonder what hurt your girlfriend's hand? You might figure it out. It could've been anything. Be happy you were wearing belts, and have a safe car.
--
Chris Herbst
1992 745, 68k

And others:
93 944, 150k
90 245, 110k
88 744, 160k
87 245, 185k