Based on Fair Auto Appraisals LLC's historical results, 85% of final negotiated vehicle values landed in the upper half of our initial estimated range or higher, including 33% that exceeded the range entirely. Past results don't guarantee future outcomes.
Thanks,
These figures represent the value of your vehicle itself. Sales tax, applicable fees, and your insurance deductible are handled separately by your insurance company and are not included in these amounts.
Asking prices are not completed sale prices. My full comparable set and adjustments will be included in my full appraisal report if hired.
Drag the slider to see what you'd keep after my fees.
My compensation is tied to the results I achieve. The closer I get the final valuation to what your vehicle is actually worth, the more we both benefit. That gives me every reason to thoroughly research your vehicle, scrutinize the opposing appraiser's report, challenge questionable comps and adjustments, and negotiate for every dollar the market evidence supports.
Rate increases are usually driven by who was at fault in the accident and your claim history, meaning how many claims you've had. By the time you're disputing a total loss, that claim is already on your record, and invoking the appraisal clause doesn't add a new one. It only settles what your vehicle was worth. In my experience, I haven't seen a client's rates go up because they used it.
Most auto policies do, and based on my experience, the simplest way to find out is to invoke it. Your insurer will either begin the appraisal process or tell you your policy doesn't include one.
You can also check your policy or ask your adjuster or agent, but in my experience they don't always know. I've even had adjusters tell clients they didn't have one when they actually did. And getting a copy of your policy can sometimes be difficult and time-consuming. If you do have a copy, look in the section that covers damage to your own vehicle (often called "Coverage for Damage to Your Auto" or "Physical Damage"). The appraisal clause is usually a short paragraph titled "Appraisal," near "Limit of Liability" and "Payment of Loss." Some policies put it in a general "Conditions" section instead. In a digital copy, searching for "appraisal" is the quickest way to find it.
Very little. I'll send you a representation letter and a short note to send your insurer to invoke the appraisal clause. After that, I deal with the insurer's appraiser directly and keep you updated. You'll make one decision at the end, if the other appraiser's highest offer needs your input.
Most auto policies include an appraisal clause for when you and your insurer disagree on what your vehicle was worth. You hire an independent appraiser, the insurer hires one, and the two work out the value together. If the two appraisers can't agree, a neutral umpire decides. The process is about the value of your vehicle only, not about whether your claim is covered.
If you decide to go ahead with an appraisal, most cases wrap up within one to four weeks. If an umpire is needed, which is rare, it can take longer.
The vast majority of cases are settled by the two appraisers. However, if the appraisers can't agree on the value of your vehicle, the appraisal clause has a built-in solution: a neutral umpire reviews both appraisals and makes the final call.
Umpires are most often needed for higher-value, exotic or heavily modified vehicles, where comparable sales are harder to find.
I'll always walk you through your options before proceeding with an umpire, and the decision is yours.
Sometimes, and it's worth asking. Most State Farm policies offer this option, and with other insurers it's case by case. If they agree, make sure it's paid as a partial payment toward your claim, not as a final settlement. You can send your adjuster something like this:
Hi, I've invoked the appraisal clause on my claim. While the appraisal is in progress, could you please issue payment for the undisputed amount of your current offer? I understand the final amount will be determined through the appraisal process. Thank you.
Your insurer's settlement total usually includes sales tax and fees, minus your deductible. When I talk about value, I mean just the vehicle itself, before any of those. If the vehicle value goes up, your insurer recalculates tax and fees on the new value, so your total goes up too.
Often, yes. Keeping your vehicle is arranged directly between you and your insurer, separately from the appraisal process, so it's not something I handle.
If you keep it, your insurer will usually deduct a salvage value from your settlement. Some insurers calculate that salvage value as a percentage of the vehicle's value, so it can go up if the appraisal increases the value. How it's calculated is entirely up to your insurer, so your adjuster is the best person to ask.
Have a question about the estimate or the process? Email me directly.