Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Damaged Transmission (kinda long story)

A few nights ago I was run off the road by some idiot driver who was traveling down the wrong side of the road. I ran up on a median and bottomed out when my tire went into a deep rut causing damage to the lower control arm and a small crack in the transmission case. The crack is really small but enough to cause some leaking. Ford quoted me $3400+tax to fix it. I also took it to Cottman Transmissions to see if it was possible to repair the crack by maybe welding a small piece of metal over it. The guy at Cottman said he couldn't do anything with it because first of all the trasnmission case is aluminum second the
"pressure inside the trasmission is too high and the damage is too close to the cv axle and the differential to be done safely." I finally just ended up putting some Quicksteel over the crack to slow the leak down while I figure out what to do next. It helped some but the transmission fluid is still slowly seeping out around the compound. So what I'm asking is if what I was told by the guy at Cottman is true? Is my only option to get the transmission replaced or get rid of the car? I contacted my insurance company and they said they might pay for a used transmission from another 'Tour with less mileage to be put in. Still I'm just curious. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. BTW this is a '00 Contour SE w/ ATX.