Insurance & Accident Claim Appraisals
Which Type Of Appraisal Do You Need?
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Diminished Value
Best for: Your repaired vehicle lost market value after an accident.
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Total Loss
Best for: Your vehicle was declared totaled, and the insurance offer seems too low.
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Agreed Value
Best for: You own a classic, custom, collector, exotic, or specialty vehicle that needs proper insurance coverage before a loss happens.
Why Independent Appraisals Matter
Insurance company valuations may not fully reflect upgrades, condition, rarity, mileage,
comparable sales, or pre-loss condition.
- Vehicle condition
- Aftermarket upgrades
- Ownership documentation
- Comparable sales
- Mileage
- Specialty equipment
- Vehicle identification details
- Rarity or collectability
- Options and trim
- Restoration work
- Prior damage or repairs
- Purpose of the appraisal
- Customizations
- Originality
- Market data
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Step 1
We Confirm the Appraisal Purpose
We start by confirming that a diminished value appraisal is the right fit for your situation. We may ask about the accident, repairs, insurance claim status, vehicle details, and how you plan to use the report.
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Step 2
We Inspect and Document the Vehicle
Your appraiser meets you at the vehicle’s location to inspect and document the vehicle. We take detailed photos, record the vehicle’s condition, review visible repairs, and note features that may affect value, including mileage, options, upgrades, prior condition, and accident-related details.
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Step 3
Our Research Team Reviews Market Data and Comps
After the inspection, the photos and notes are reviewed by our research team. They evaluate current market data, comparable vehicles when applicable, the vehicle’s condition, and other factors that may affect diminished value.
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Step 4
You Receive a Certified Appraisal Report
Once complete, you receive a certified appraisal report documenting the vehicle, the appraisal purpose, relevant research, and the professional opinion of diminished value. You can use the report to support your insurance claim, settlement discussion, legal matter, or ownership records.
What Makes an Auto Appraisal Network Report Different?
A strong insurance appraisal should do more than put a number on a vehicle. It should show why that number is supportable.
Auto Appraisal Network combines local vehicle inspection with professional documentation and market research.
Our appraisers know how to identify the details that generic valuation systems can miss—from factory options and unusually good condition to restoration work, specialty equipment, aftermarket upgrades, rare configurations, and collector-market considerations.
Your appraisal is then supported with research appropriate to the vehicle and the purpose of the report.
The result is a professional, certified appraisal designed to clearly document the vehicle and provide a well-supported opinion of value.
Insurance & Accident Claim Appraisals FAQs
What is an independent insurance appraisal?
An independent insurance appraisal is a professional vehicle valuation performed separately from the insurance company's valuation process. The appraiser reviews the vehicle, available documentation, and relevant market information to develop an independent opinion of value.
Can an independent appraisal help if my insurance company undervalued my vehicle?
Yes. If you believe an insurance settlement does not accurately reflect your vehicle's value, an independent appraisal can provide additional documentation supporting a different opinion of value. The report may be used during settlement discussions, an appraisal clause process, or other claim-related proceedings.
What is a total loss appraisal?
A total loss appraisal determines what a vehicle was worth immediately before the loss occurred. It is commonly requested when a vehicle has been declared a total loss and the owner disagrees with the insurance company's valuation or settlement offer.
What is diminished value?
Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle's market value caused by its accident and repair history. Even after high-quality repairs, buyers may be unwilling to pay the same amount for a vehicle with an accident history as they would for an otherwise comparable vehicle without one.
Is diminished value the same as the cost of repairs?
No. Repair costs are the expenses required to restore the damaged vehicle. Diminished value addresses the potential loss in the vehicle's market value after those repairs have been completed.
What does prior-to-loss value mean?
Prior-to-loss value is the vehicle's value immediately before an accident, theft, fire, flood, or other damaging event occurred. Establishing this value may be important for total loss settlements and other insurance claims.
What if my vehicle is no longer available for inspection?
An appraisal may still be possible depending on the circumstances and the information available. Photographs, insurance records, repair estimates, maintenance documentation, receipts, previous appraisals, vehicle history records, and other evidence may help document the vehicle's pre-loss condition and value. Your local appraiser can review the situation with you.
What documents should I provide for an insurance appraisal?
Helpful documentation may include your insurance company's valuation, repair estimates or invoices, photographs, vehicle history information, maintenance records, receipts for upgrades or restoration work, previous appraisals, window stickers or build sheets, and correspondence related to the claim.
Can you appraise classic, custom, or collector vehicles for insurance claims?
Yes. Auto Appraisal Network appraises classic, collector, custom, modified, exotic, restored, and other specialty vehicles. These vehicles can require additional research because standard valuation systems may not adequately account for rarity, restoration quality, originality, modifications, specialty equipment, provenance, or collector demand.
What is an appraisal clause?
Some automobile insurance policies include an appraisal clause that provides a process for resolving disagreements over the amount of a covered loss. The specific language and requirements vary by policy. Review your insurance policy or speak with your insurance professional or attorney to determine whether an appraisal clause applies to your claim.
Does an independent appraisal guarantee the insurance company will increase its offer?
No. An independent appraisal provides a professional, documented opinion of value, but it does not guarantee that an insurance company will accept that value or change its settlement offer. The report gives you documentation that may be used to support your position during the claim or dispute process.
Need Help With an Insurance or Accident Claim?
Get an independent, certified appraisal report from an experienced Auto Appraisal Network appraiser near you.
