When dealing with a vehicle appraisal you will notice insurance terms such as ‘Actual Cash Value’, and ‘Total Loss Claim’.

We were recently contacted by a member of a FaceBook page for appraisers around the country. Joe was involved in a one-car accident and totaled his 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD work truck with 300,000 miles. He attempted to settle things with Farmers on his own with the process taking weeks.

The initial offer was $15,500 and ended at $17,500. With his frustration growing, he contacted us about the issues he was having and ultimately decided to hire us to help him. The first thing we asked for was his full auto policy and began looking for the language in it that supports his right to an independent vehicle appraisal – We found it of course!

Vehicle Appraisal – A Risk?

When Mr. Rosso invoked his right to an appraisal of the vehicle’s value, the adjuster actually tried to dissuade him from doing so. She said that he was taking a risk because if their appraiser came back less than their last offer, they’d pay the lesser amount. Amazing!

At CSC we pride ourselves on creating a complete picture of the loss vehicle with supporting data to validate its Actual Cash Value in his market. It took 10 days from beginning to end before he received an offer of $31,700 for his truck and installed equipment. That is $16,200 more than the initial offer.
Never, ever take the first vehicle appraisal offer on a total loss – Call Collision Safety Consultants in Louisiana… Take a moment to read our client’s testimonial below that was posted in a social network group.

Actual Cash Value Testimonial

I would like to take a minute to thank a fellow member of this group that handled the appraisal on my Auto claim. Pat OBrien and his wife. As some of you know I was in an Auto accident that totaled my truck about 6 weeks ago.

I have farmers insurance, the day after my accident I posted on here looking for an auto appraiser knowing how the insurance company’s Work from the property side I was getting ready for the fight about to happen. Pat messaged me. He gave me May pointers and how to handle it myself and took the time to answer all of the many questions.

The original offer from farmers was $15,500.00 this was a hysterical moment the adjuster asked why I was laughing I asked is that your serious offer? She explained all the work they had done and how they came up with that price.

For the next 2 weeks, I went back and forth with this adjuster only getting them to come up to $17,500.00… I had had enough I told the adjuster that I was invoking appraisal. She used the same line as I hear every time I’ve have ever taken anything to appraisal it’s expensive, the appraisers may not agree and then the umpire expenses.

90% of the time the appraisal amount is less than my offer and we will then pay the lesser amount. I said I’ve heard that a thousand times from adjusters it must be i your text book and I felt confident in my decision. Long story but from the time I sent Pat the singed appraisal agreement to the settlement was 10 days and no umpire was needed in 10 days my claim was increased $15,000.00.  (italics ours)

I give Pat O’Brien and his wife 5 stars.

Lesson Learned

We appreciate this valuable testimonial and feedback. Don’t settle for the initial vehicle appraisal that you receive from your car insurance company. Remember. Call us!