General FAQs
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, and offer buy now pay later options through Klarna. 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 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 in 24-48 hours. 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 follow receipt of your intake information and payment. The research and reporting will take the same 24-48 hours (typically), and we negotiating with the insurance company usually takes a few days. In many cases (not all) we have a agreed up settlement in less that 5 business days or so. We'll keep you informed through the process.
Our valuation reports are comprehensive and will include details about your vehicle, comparable vehicles.
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 offer valuation/appraisal work in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio.
Provided that your vehicle is located within any of the 16 Kentuckiana counties that we currently service, we'll inspect your vehicle just about anywhere that is safe. If your vehicle is not currently in a safe location, such as parked roadside, we'll ask that you have it moved to a safe location first.
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 much further in-depth. We pull comps for sale and often previously 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.
Autopraisal is able to provide valuation reporting on standard passenger autos and truck/vans, heavy equipment like semi-trucks, motorcycles, and RVs.
Value Appraisal Services FAQs
Yes. We can provide a valuation for divorces and other legal settlements.
Maybe. Like any business, a car dealer can sell vehicles at a price they deem competitive, and conversely make an offer to purchase your car at a price they feel is reasonable. An independent appraisal may help to prove the case that you should pay less or receive more, but it shouldn't be expected that they must consider it.
Ultimately, the value of a car or anything is based on the market...what people are willing to pay for something. Before setting a price that is simply what others are selling the same vehicle for be sure to do your research. Consider your car's condition, mileage, options, and history. An independent valuation from Autopraisal can help you make sure that you're asking the right price. Also, consider the medium your using to sell your car. Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace may not accurately reflect 'the market' for your vehicle.
Possibly. Generally, things like new tires, brakes, oil changes, and general maintenance are not considered improvements. They are necessary expenses for minimal upkeep and maintenance. Things like upgraded wheels, a fresh paint job, or switching from cloth seats to leather, would be considered improvements, though likely won't reflect much in the value overall. In regards to classic or vintages cars, there is usually a significant difference between 'needs restoration' and 'restored'.
Total Loss Valuation 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 your 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 to dealer may want to offer less (not 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 above. 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.
At-Least-the-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 days from your approved request. Please note, that it may take 10+ days for the refund to reflect back to your account.
No. Our 'At-Least-the-Fee Guarantee' only applies to total loss valuations and diminished value valuations. All other type of appraisals or valuations, like those to sell a car do not have a guarantee. It is always our goal to provide all the evidence needed to support a vehicle value in it's market, however we can't guarantee what the transaction outcome will be.
No. Our 'At-Least-the-Fee Guarantee' based on the difference between the insurance company offer and our valuation. We guarantee that our thorough independent researched 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.
