Total Loss & Diminished Value FAQs

When an insurer declares a vehicle a total loss, it pays the vehicle’s actual cash value, meaning what it was worth in the market just before the loss. A total loss appraisal is an independent, market-based valuation of that figure, used when you believe the insurer’s number is too low. Learn more about our total loss appraisal service.

The appraisal clause is a provision in many auto insurance policies for settling a disagreement over a vehicle’s value. You and your insurer each name an appraiser, and the two work toward an agreed value. If they cannot agree, the policy may call for an independent umpire. Whether it applies depends on your policy language and your state.

The Total Loss Appraisal Clause Service is a $449 flat fee, with no percentage of your settlement and no hidden fees. The fee is due once the appraisal award is signed by Premier and the opposing appraiser.

If the market evidence does not support at least $1,000 in additional value, you pay $0. If an umpire is required, the umpire is independent and that fee is separate from Premier’s.

Yes. On an appraisal clause file, Premier prepares the valuation, communicates directly with the insurer’s appraiser, and represents that valuation through to a signed award.

Yes. The appraisal clause is part of your own policy, so it does not apply to a claim against another driver’s insurer. For those claims, Premier prepares a third-party total loss appraisal for a $299 flat fee, which you submit to that insurer yourself.

The insurer is not required to accept it, and a change to its offer is not guaranteed.

A diminished value report calculates how much your vehicle has lost in market value after being involved in an accident, even after it’s repaired. It’s often used to support insurance claims or legal actions.

The 17c formula is a calculation some insurers use for diminished value. It takes its name from a 2001 Georgia case, Mabry v. State Farm, and starts from 10% of the vehicle’s pre-accident value, then reduces that figure with a damage multiplier and a mileage multiplier. We don’t use it; instead, we use our proprietary Premier Market Comparison Method (PMCM). Rather than applying a fixed formula, PMCM compares real vehicles with and without accident history, adjusts for differences like mileage, trim, equipment, and location, and documents every step so the conclusion can be reviewed and verified.

Most vehicles that have been in an accident and received repairs may qualify, especially newer cars, luxury models, and vehicles with frame or structural damage.

A prior accident doesn’t automatically rule out a claim, but it does affect it. We’ll need to evaluate both the prior and current damage to determine whether the most recent accident caused a measurable additional loss in value. Check your vehicle’s Carfax or AutoCheck report and let us know about any prior damage when you submit your information.

Insurance companies rarely offer compensation for diminished value unless you request it and provide proof. Our reports give you the documentation you need to support your claim.

Premier offers clear flat fee service options. Diminished Value Reports for $299, Divorce Asset Valuation from $299, and Total Loss Appraisal Clause Service for $449. Each option includes professional valuation support using the Premier Market Comparison Method™.

Most reports are delivered within 1–2 business days after we receive all necessary information and documentation.

We provide a detailed diminished value report using the Premier Market Comparison Method™ (PMCM) to determine and document the measurable loss in your vehicle’s value.

Your report includes claim submission instructions and ready-to-use settlement request language so you can present the appraisal directly to the insurance company. We also remain available for questions and support regarding our report and valuation.

For total loss claims, we prepare a Premier Total Loss Valuation Report™ and handle the appraisal clause process with the insurer’s appraiser through to a signed award.

It depends on the service. For diminished value, no: your report is provided directly to you along with claim submission instructions and ready-to-use settlement request language so you can submit your claim directly to the insurance company.

For the Total Loss Appraisal Clause Service, yes: Premier communicates directly with the insurer’s appraiser throughout the appraisal process.

Premier remains available to answer questions regarding the report, methodology, and valuation throughout the process.

While we can’t guarantee acceptance, our reports are prepared by appraisers using industry-leading methods. If you need help interpreting the report, we’re happy to assist.

Yes. We take your privacy seriously and never sell or share your personal information. Read our Privacy Policy.

Just fill out our inquiry form with some basic details about your accident and vehicle. We’ll take it from there.