My father's best friend's son took out the family Chebby 1/2 ton to show off with friends. Brand new Z71 with everything. He took it out to Pacifica (on the coast, just south of San Francisco) and drove out on the beach to go late night drinking with his friends. The tide was out.
Several beers later they discovered that the tide was coming in. The water was up to the axles at this point. All was going well until the kids discovered they had to drive around the breakwater to get back to the beach.
The breakwater was another 50 yards into the ocean. Too deep to drive into.
So the kid parked the truck, and watched as the tide came in. Water got 1/2 way up the windows.
The sheriff showed up and called a tow rig, but they had to wait for low tide. The sheriff also called pops... But the kid would not allow the sheriff to give him back to his father. Mommy had to pick him up, as he had the fear of death in him. (This kid has also totaled a couple of other of dad's prized posessions. Now he drives an Escort with 300k miles on it)
Anyway, the insurance company refused to total it. They sent it to a shop, changed all the fluids, filters, etc. and let it dry out for a month. I think they also replaced all the gauges and heater controls.
The truck still runs and drives, but the power seats don't work any more. They are kind of seized up. Unbelievably the power windows do work. transmission does not shift right, motor runs funny.
I kept telling the father to get rid of that thing. I think he did about six months ago when I sold him my '01 Land Cruiser.
In short, it depends on the insurance co. whether or not they'll total it.