General FAQs
Generally clients who enlist a independent appraiser can settle for an average of 34% or more. In terms of dollars, that's averages out to an extra $3,889.00!
We accept all major credit cards (debit cards with major credit card symbol), Venmo, Paypal, and Paypal Pay Later allowing you to pay in installments. You'll make your payment through a secure third party payment gateway that is part of our intake form. Payment is due up front for all services. We do not invoice or bill you or 3rd parties.
Our company is led by a former multi-state insurance adjuster with more than 10 years experiencing adjusting complex auto claims and negotiating and settling total losses.
Insurance adjusters are often overwhelmingly busy. Sometimes we have a hard time getting them on the phone too. If you've signed up for our concierge service then we'll send your adjuster a non-legal Letter of Representation (LOR) by email and regular mail. We always ask them to acknowledge receipt. If the adjuster is unreachable, we'll continue our contact efforts working our way up the chain of command. We won't give up!
Once we have your intake form and payment, our research process and report preparation is ready generally within a few business days or less. Some situations are more challenging and thus may take a bit longer. If you've signed up for one of our concierge services we'll start the process immediately following the receipt of your intake information and payment. If we're negotiating with the insurance company that usually takes a few days beyond the readiness of the valuation report. In many cases (not all) we have a agreed to a settlement in about five business days or so. We'll keep you informed through the process.
Our valuation reports are comprehensive and will include a vehicle specific information similar to a manufacturers build sheet, vehicle history report, research data, comparable vehicles search results, and more. Depending on the age and rarity of your vehicle, some data may be more or less readily available.
There is not currently a nationally recognized uniform standard for auto appraisers. There are several private companies who offer education, accreditation, and more for a fee. Autopraisal does not currently pay for any private certifications. Our experience and unbiased independent work and industry leading tools speaks for itself. Our appraisal reports follow USPAP standards.
We currently market our services in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. We are generally able to provide our services in other states, please reach out if you live outside of our current service area...we can likely help you too.
Total Loss Valuation FAQs
No. Autopraisal is not a law firm. We do not offer legal advice or act as legal counsel at any capacity. We're happy to communicate with your attorney through the process. In some cases, when necessary if you're attorney represented we'll obtain documentation of authority from them to negotiate on your behalf for the value of your vehicle.
Our fee is paid by you. Payment is required by credit card to start the process. In the event we determine we can't prove a value of at least our fee higher than the insurance companies offer, we'll refund our fee immediately.
This happens. You simply will pay the difference, complete a few additional steps giving us permission to negotiate, and we'll step in.
As a part of the Concierge process we may need to invoke the appraisal clause, if necessary. Our goal is settle the total loss directly with the insurance company, however if they are unwilling to cooperate or negotiate we'll look to invoke at that point. We'll discuss this with you prior. We always reserve this right in writing with the insurance company at the beginning of our process.
These are all good online resources when competitively shopping for a car. Our research goes further in-depth. We pull comps for sale and even already sold, adjust values based on options you vehicle has versus the comparable, adjust for mileage, condition and more. This process is very similar to what many insurance companies do, but our research is unbiased which typically yields a more accurate value. Additionally, we often uncover things insurance appraisers miss, like factory options installed as part of a package.
Autopraisal is able to provide valuation reporting on standard passenger autos and truck/vans, as well as others.
Diminished Value FAQs
Simply put, it's the amount of money lost because the vehicle was in an accident or in some cases, not repaired to proper standards. Often, when you sell or trade your vehicle, the other party may run a Carfax or similar report. The report will most likely show that the vehicle was damaged. The other party or dealer may want to offer less (or not want the car at all) due to this. This claim of additional money is intended to compensate you for this loss.
Generally yes! A DV claim is intended for the titled owner (leases generally don't qualify). Your vehicle should meet the three criteria mentioned the Diminished Value Services page. And finally the state you live may null the option of pursuing a DV claim based on stated laws and regulations.
That's like asking for the recipe to our secret sauce. Not really! Actually, it depends. Basically we would determine what your vehicle was worth before the accident as compared to it's worth after the repairs are made. The difference is the amount of Diminished Value.
Usually yes. Unless your vehicle had a low value prior the loss due to prior accidents reported, age, condition, mileage, etc, then your vehicle likely still lost value even if it's minimal.
No. In the case of total loss, your being paid the actual cash value of the vehicle as it was prior to the accident. In this case, there is no loss of value due the accident.
Generally, yes! Newer vehicles and luxury vehicles carry a higher value, often cost more to repair, and are generally subject to high DV claims.
Each state's statute of limitations varier. Autopraisal recommends beginning the process as soon as possible, however it's generally not feasible to produce an accurate value until the repairs are complete. We compiled some good to know stats for the states we primarily serve. You'll see the statute of limitations listed. Check it out clicking HERE.
The 125% Fee Guarantee FAQs
No, definitely not! In most cases, we'll know quickly if our valuation won't at least exceed our fee and we'll proactively handle the refund. Otherwise, we'll process your refund in 3-5 business days from your approved request. Please note, that it may take 10+ days for the refund to reflect back to your account.
No. Our 'The 125% Fee Guarantee' based on the difference between the insurance company offer and our valuation. We guarantee that our thorough independent research will yield an amount difference that is greater than our fee or your money back. It does not guarantee that your insurance carrier will accept the appraisal or that they will increase their offer. We would recommend using our Concierge service to negotiate on your behalf, or possibly enacting the appraisal clause. If you feel that your claim is not being handled fairly you should talk to your states department of insurance about the parameters for filing bad faith claim. Check out our listing DOI contacts by state.
