Total Loss Appraisal & Appraisal Clause Service

A total loss appraisal is an independent valuation of what your vehicle was worth immediately before the loss, built from comparable vehicles in your market. It is used to support a different actual cash value than the insurer’s when the two do not agree.

A total loss appraisal clause is a provision in some auto insurance policies that provides a process for resolving disagreements over the value of a totaled vehicle. Typically, the policyholder and insurance company each select an independent appraiser to determine the vehicle’s value.

Possibly. If your policy contains an applicable appraisal clause and the disagreement involves the value of your vehicle, you may be able to invoke the appraisal process. The specific requirements depend on your policy language and applicable state requirements.

After the appraisal clause is formally invoked, you and the insurance company each select an appraiser. The appraisers independently evaluate the vehicle and attempt to agree on its value. If they cannot agree, the policy may provide for an umpire to help resolve the valuation dispute.

An independent appraiser evaluates relevant market evidence and vehicle-specific factors such as year, make, model, trim, mileage, condition, equipment, options, and comparable vehicles to develop a supported pre-loss market value.

If the appraisers cannot agree, the appraisal clause may allow the dispute to proceed to an independent umpire. The appraisers or another process specified by the policy select the umpire, and the appraisal proceeds according to the policy terms.

The appraisal process can result in a higher vehicle value when supported by the market evidence, but an increase is not guaranteed. Its purpose is to independently resolve the disagreement over the amount of the loss.

Invoking the appraisal clause generally addresses the disputed value of the vehicle and does not, by itself, determine ownership or salvage handling. Those issues depend on the claim, policy terms, settlement status, and applicable state requirements.

Premier Vehicle Valuation Specialists charges a $449 flat fee for total loss appraisal clause service, with no hidden fees. If an umpire is required, an independent umpire will be selected. Umpire fees are separate from Premier’s flat fee.

The $449 flat fee is due once the appraisal award is signed by Premier and the opposing appraiser. No payment is required to submit your claim for review or to begin the appraisal process.

No. Premier’s $449 flat fee for the appraisal clause service includes the valuation report and representation with the opposing appraiser through the signed award. There is no percentage of your settlement.

Your VIN, photos of the vehicle, and your claim information, including the insurer’s total loss valuation report if you have it. Once you begin, we’ll let you know exactly what else is needed.

Yes. The appraisal clause is part of your own policy, so it applies when the claim is with your own insurer. If the claim is with the other driver’s insurer, Premier can prepare a third-party total loss appraisal for a $299 flat fee, which you submit to that insurer as market-based support for your vehicle’s value.

Because a third-party claim has no appraisal clause, the insurer is not required to accept the appraisal, and a change to its offer is not guaranteed.

Every claim is reviewed before payment. If the market evidence does not support at least $1,000 in additional value over the insurance company’s valuation, you pay $0.

Yes. Once Premier Vehicle Valuation Specialists is retained as your appraiser, we prepare our independent valuation, communicate directly with the opposing appraiser, and represent our valuation position throughout the appraisal process.