Our Vehicle Valuation Process | How Autopraisal Works

Our Valuation Process

Our clients don’t just buy results — they buy confidence in the process.

How It Works...

Our valuation process usually takes place quickly. But there is a lot of things happening to make sure we can provide accurate high quality data. Below is quick over of our process with additional information below. This may not answer all of your questions, but that's what we are here for. Just give us a shout!

1. Contact us and provide the necessary details.

Complete our web form or give us a call — whichever is easiest for you. We’ll take the time to understand your needs and walk you through our services. We’re here to listen. We know that settling a total loss, determining diminished value, or buying or selling a vehicle can be stressful. Online information isn’t always accurate or reliable — but fortunately, we are. Most importantly, we believe in being upfront and honest. If we don’t think we can help you, we’ll tell you — simple as that.

2. Choose the service that meets your needs.

We’ve got your bases — and your budget — covered.

We understand that an independent valuation isn’t always in the budget, but we'll focus on getting you more for your vehicle — beyond the cost of our service. If you’ve experienced a total loss, we’ll help you determine what you should settle for — and even negotiate on your behalf. If your vehicle was damaged and it wasn’t your fault, we’ll calculate the diminished value so you know exactly what’s been lost. And if you’re buying or selling — whether it’s a daily driver, a vintage classic, or a rare collectible — we’ll help you pinpoint the right market value so you get the price you deserve.

3. We'll start right away conducting thorough research.

Once we have all the necessary details, our team will begin right away. We'll setup an inspection and begin our research. If you're settling a total loss you may have limited time in a rental vehicle. Or, if you're considering the purchase of vehicle, you don't want to lose the deal. We get it...time is of the essence! Most valuations take about 2-3 business days. If we're negotiating the total loss settlement with an insurance company, we'll send them an official notice immediately to make them aware that you've hired Autopraisal to negotiate on your behalf.

4. A comprehensive independent valuation to your inbox.

Once our research is complete, we'll send our valuation report directly to your email. W representative will call you to review our findings. If we're negotiating your total loss, we'll confirm all the details of our research with you first - before we contact the adjuster to present a counter offer. We'll keep you in the know during this process.

Important Considerations:

Vehicle Inspection:

Vehicle Inspection Location

Provided that your vehicle is located within our service area we'll inspect it just about anywhere. Please make sure your vehicle is located in a safe location prior to our inspection. We are unable to inspect vehicles that are road side or left at accident scenes. If we're coming your residence, please make sure we can completely access the vehicle. We schedule a time with you for inspection, but you're not required to be present provided your vehicle can be accessed. If someone will be meeting with our inspection they should be at least 18 years of age. If your vehicle is located at a body shop, mechanical shop, tow yard, etc., we'll schedule the inspection at that location accordingly. Unless that business requires it, you don't need to be present.

Inspection Timeframe

We will complete most inspections in 48 business hours or less from the time your intake form is completed. Our inspection is generally quick usually taking 15-30 minutes to complete.

What's needed for our inspection

First, we'll need access to the vehicle. Please make sure your vehicle is parked accessibly. We'll need the key/fob in order to obtain the mileage and document specific options. If personal objects are covering access to vehicle options please remove them prior to our arrival. This may include a trunk full of clothes which prevents our ability to access and document the presence of a spare wheel/tire.

When an inspection isn't possible

In some cases we are not able to inspect your vehicle. This may be in the case of an unrecovered theft, total burn, has a police hold (investigation), or posses as a health or safety risk (biohazard). In this event, schedule some time to discuss the options and features your car has. We'll base the start of this from an OEM build sheet assuming one is available. We ask in you complete and total honesty during this time.

Insurance Negotiation Process:

Negotiation Range

As part of our Concierge services. Once we've determined an independent fair market value for your vehicle we'll set an acceptable range in order to facilitate negotiations with the insurance company. We'll discuss this range with you when we review our findings. Our goal is always to reach the highest possible settlement, but understanding that negotiation is the art of give and take.

Settlement Timeframe

Once we've cleared our value with you we'll reach out to the insurance company right away. Out goal is reach a settlement quickly. In most cases our counter offer has to be reviewed internally within the claims team. This part of the process often takes a few business days. We'll keep you updated, but only as things develop or if there seems to a stall in the process. Contrary to popular belief, there is not an advantage for the insurance company to prolong settling your claim. Many claims departments measure 'days to settle' on every claim and adjusters are at times rewarded for keeping a lower average.

Finalizing the settlement

Once we've reached a settlement amount with the insurance company our work is complete. It will be in the vehicle owners hands to resolve the paperwork and finalize. We're available if you have questions, but please keep in mind that we can not offer legal advice.

Service Areas

Kentucky Counties

Jefferson - Oldham - Trimble - Henry - Shelby Spencer - Bullitt - Nelson - Hardin - Meade - Larue

Indiana Counties

Clark - Floyd - Harrison - Washington - Scott