Independent Vehicle Value Assessment
Total Loss Appraisal: Find Out What Your Vehicle Was Really Worth
Understanding Total Loss Appraisals
What Is a Total Loss Appraisal?
How Does the Total Loss Appraisal Process Work?
Step 1
Step 2
Research the Vehicle and Market: The appraiser identifies the vehicle’s correct trim, mileage, options, equipment and relevant condition, then researches comparable vehicles in the appropriate market.
Step 3
Understanding Low Valuations
Why Can a Total Loss Valuation Be Too Low?
An insurance company’s total loss valuation is only as reliable as the vehicle information, comparable vehicles and adjustments used to produce it. Errors involving trim level, mileage, options, equipment or condition can affect the result. A valuation may also rely on comparable vehicles that differ significantly from the loss vehicle in configuration, location, mileage or equipment.
A low valuation does not automatically mean the insurance company did something wrong. The important question is whether the valuation accurately represents your specific vehicle and its market immediately before the loss.
- A flat condition adjustment arbitrarily applied to every comparable vehicle regardless of true condition, or mileage.
- Incorrect trim
- Missing factory options
- Incorrect mileage
- Geographic market differences
- Questionable condition adjustments
- Poor comparable vehicles
- Different configurations
- Incorrect mileage Adjustments. Usually higher mile comps have lower per mile adjustment, where lower mile comps have higher per mile adjustment
- Geographic market differences
TOTAL LOSS APPRAISAL & NEGOTIATION
The Appraisal Is Only 20% of the Job
Ken Nix often says that preparing the appraisal is only about 20% of what it takes to successfully handle a disputed total loss value. The other 80% is understanding the vehicle, knowing the market, and being able to defend and negotiate that value with the insurance company’s appraiser.
A long appraisal report does not make a valuation credible. What matters is the quality of the market evidence, the accuracy of the vehicle information, and whether the appraiser actually understands why one vehicle is worth more than another.
A credible appraisal establishes the value. An experienced negotiator still has to make the case for why.
Experience at the Negotiating Table Matters
When an insurance policy contains an appraisal clause, the policyholder and insurance company typically select their own appraisers. Each appraiser determines a value, and the two appraisers then work toward an agreement.
Ken brings more than 16 years of experience negotiating total loss and diminished value claims with insurance companies, opposing appraisers and attorneys, along with courtroom testimony and more than 40 years of automotive industry experience.
He does more than submit a number. He explains the vehicle, supports the comparable evidence, defends appropriate adjustments, identifies weaknesses in the opposing valuation, and negotiates directly with the insurance company’s appraiser toward an agreed value.
LEVERAGE does not simply hand you an appraisal report and leave you to negotiate the claim yourself.
“It is difficult to defend the value of something you do not fully understand.”
Understanding the Appraisal Clause
When Should You Get a Total Loss Appraisal?
A total loss appraisal may be worth considering when there is a meaningful difference between your insurance company’s valuation and what comparable vehicles actually cost in the market.
An independent review may also be appropriate when the valuation contains incorrect vehicle information, important options are missing, comparable vehicles are substantially different, condition adjustments appear unsupported, or your vehicle is unusual or difficult to value.
Specialty, modified, classic, collector, exotic, commercial and unusually equipped vehicles can require additional research because standardized valuation methods may not adequately account for their configuration or market.
Not every total loss claim needs an appraisal. A professional review can help determine whether there is enough of a valuation difference to justify moving forward.
How Is a Totaled Vehicle's Value Determined?
HOW TOTAL LOSS VALUE IS DETERMINED
Comparable vehicles are an important part of determining value, but simply finding vehicles with the same year, make and model is not enough. Differences in trim, mileage, equipment, configuration, condition and location can materially affect what a vehicle is worth.
A credible total loss appraisal identifies those differences and, when appropriate, accounts for them through supportable market based adjustments.
Ken Nix
Ken Nix is the founder of LEVERAGE Auto Appraisals and has been an Oregon Certified Auto Appraiser since 2010. His automotive experience spans more than 40 years and includes vehicle sales, appraisal, management, closing, product knowledge and negotiation.
Ken’s background is unusually diverse. In addition to his automotive career, his experience includes computer programming, digital marketing, graphic design and more than a decade as an administrator for the world’s largest automotive forum networks. He also founded multiple automotive communities that grew to more than 90,000 members.
That combination of automotive, market, negotiation, and technology experience has become increasingly valuable as vehicle valuation relies more heavily on data, algorithms, automated valuation systems and artificial intelligence.
Technology is a powerful valuation tool. Experience is knowing when the technology got it wrong.
OUR LAST 100 TOTAL LOSS APPRAISAL CLAUSE SETTLEMENTS
Ken Nix brings more than 16 years of experience fighting for consumers in total loss appraisal claims.
We do not work for insurance companies, and we do not receive anyh revenue from any insurance company. We only work for the vehicle owner, although we are completely unbiased.
The 100 claims below are real results from my most recent 100 cases. In 97 of those 100 claims, the final settlement increased by more than $1,000. We do not take the path of least resistance. We do the work, support the value, and fight for a fair settlement. Date: August 20, 2026.
| Insurance Carrier | Vehicle | Insurer Offer | Final Settlement | Increase | Increase % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | 1997 Toyota 4Runner | $11,864.00 | $30,000.00 | $18,136.00 | 152.9% |
| Safeco | 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E63 AMG S 4MATIC+ | $110,505.00 | $127,500.00 | $16,995.00 | 15.4% |
| State Farm | 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad | $7,025.00 | $17,850.00 | $10,825.00 | 154.1% |
| Progressive | 1994 Chevrolet Cheyenne | $2,459.52 | $11,200.00 | $8,740.48 | 355.4% |
| State Farm | 2019 Ford Super Duty F-350 | $34,161.00 | $42,550.00 | $8,389.00 | 24.6% |
| State Farm | 2023 Tesla Model Y AWD | $12,784.00 | $20,828.33 | $8,044.33 | 62.9% |
| USAA | 2021 RAM 1500 Big Horn | $30,228.00 | $38,000.00 | $7,772.00 | 25.7% |
| State Farm | 2018 BMW 3 Series 330i | $13,982.00 | $21,000.00 | $7,018.00 | 50.2% |
| State Farm | 2019 Dodge Charger | $15,856.00 | $22,670.00 | $6,814.00 | 43.0% |
| State Farm | 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited | $49,415.00 | $56,077.00 | $6,662.00 | 13.5% |
| State Farm | 2023 Porsche Taycan GTS AWD | $92,023.00 | $98,500.00 | $6,477.00 | 7.0% |
| State Farm | 2024 Toyota Tundra 4WD Hybrid TRD Pro CrewMax | $56,307.00 | $62,596.00 | $6,289.00 | 11.2% |
| State Farm | 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid TRD Off Road | $46,716.00 | $52,500.00 | $5,784.00 | 12.4% |
| Safeco | 2014 Dodge 1500 | $13,277.00 | $19,000.00 | $5,723.00 | 43.1% |
| Tesla | 2023 | $30,359.00 | $36,000.00 | $5,641.00 | 18.6% |
| State Farm | 2018 Ford F-150 XLT | $20,510.00 | $26,086.00 | $5,576.00 | 27.2% |
| GEICO | 2019 BMW M5 Competition | $53,468.00 | $59,000.00 | $5,532.00 | 10.3% |
| Allstate | 2023 | $30,282.00 | $35,602.92 | $5,320.92 | 17.6% |
| American Family (AMFAM) | 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $46,100.00 | $51,276.63 | $5,176.63 | 11.2% |
| State Farm | 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid | $15,266.00 | $20,400.00 | $5,134.00 | 33.6% |
| State Farm | 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Limited | $25,918.00 | $31,050.00 | $5,132.00 | 19.8% |
| Allstate | 2014 Honda CR-V LX | $8,519.25 | $13,462.24 | $4,942.99 | 58.0% |
| Allstate | 2013 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX | $13,236.00 | $18,163.00 | $4,927.00 | 37.2% |
| GEICO | 1998 Toyota 4Runner | $5,230.00 | $10,000.00 | $4,770.00 | 91.2% |
| State Farm | 2019 Honda Insight | $17,080.00 | $21,750.00 | $4,670.00 | 27.3% |
| USAA | 2018 Lexus ES 300h | $20,409.00 | $25,000.00 | $4,591.00 | 22.5% |
| Country Financial | 2025 RAM 350 | $74,495.00 | $79,000.00 | $4,505.00 | 6.0% |
| GEICO | 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible | $7,351.00 | $11,800.00 | $4,449.00 | 60.5% |
| USAA | 2024 Subaru Outback | $29,572.00 | $34,000.00 | $4,428.00 | 15.0% |
| State Farm | 2015 INFINITI Q60 Convertible | $9,267.00 | $13,640.00 | $4,373.00 | 47.2% |
| AMFAM | 2016 | $19,597.00 | $23,900.00 | $4,303.00 | 22.0% |
| State Farm | 2013 Ford F-150 STX SuperCab 4WD | $14,853.00 | $19,050.00 | $4,197.00 | 28.3% |
| USAA | 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan SE | $2,833.00 | $7,000.00 | $4,167.00 | 147.1% |
| State Farm | 2019 Toyota RAV4 | $21,695.00 | $25,850.00 | $4,155.00 | 19.2% |
| State Farm | 2012 Toyota RAV4 FWD | $6,756.00 | $10,850.00 | $4,094.00 | 60.6% |
| State Farm | 2015 Subaru Forester XT Touring | $14,194.00 | $18,255.25 | $4,061.25 | 28.6% |
| USAA | 2004 Dodge Sprinter Wagon 2500 | $8,942.00 | $13,000.00 | $4,058.00 | 45.4% |
| GEICO | 2016 Ram 3500 | $22,694.00 | $26,750.00 | $4,056.00 | 17.9% |
| State Farm | 2011 Acura TSX Wagon | $2,048.00 | $6,064.46 | $4,016.46 | 196.1% |
| Bristol West | 2005 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab 4WD | $14,988.97 | $18,750.00 | $3,761.03 | 25.1% |
| State Farm | 2022 RAM 1500 Big Horn Black Widow | $43,694.00 | $47,350.00 | $3,656.00 | 8.4% |
| Travelers | 2024 GMC Terrain SLE | $22,411.00 | $26,000.00 | $3,589.00 | 16.0% |
| Allstate | 2020 Honda Fit | $12,448.56 | $16,000.00 | $3,551.44 | 28.5% |
| State Farm | 2013 Ford F-150 | $15,466.00 | $19,000.00 | $3,534.00 | 22.9% |
| USAA | 2005 Dodge Dakota | $4,687.00 | $8,221.00 | $3,534.00 | 75.4% |
| State Farm | 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI SE | $12,510.00 | $16,000.00 | $3,490.00 | 27.9% |
| Farmers | 1999 Chevrolet Silverado | $8,519.25 | $12,000.00 | $3,480.75 | 40.9% |
| Progressive | 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | $54,029.80 | $57,500.00 | $3,470.20 | 6.4% |
| Allstate | 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD | $48,095.00 | $51,500.00 | $3,405.00 | 7.1% |
| State Farm | 2015 Infiniti QX80 | $9,052.00 | $12,400.00 | $3,348.00 | 37.0% |
| State Farm | 2021 Toyota Venza XLE AWD | $26,843.00 | $30,000.00 | $3,157.00 | 11.8% |
| Liberty Mutual | 2013 Toyota Tundra 4WD CrewMax | $15,861.29 | $19,000.00 | $3,138.71 | 19.8% |
| State Farm | 2014 Kia Soul + | $6,285.00 | $9,400.00 | $3,115.00 | 49.6% |
| Progressive | 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium | $45,943.95 | $49,000.00 | $3,056.05 | 6.7% |
| GEICO | 2021 Subaru WRX Manual | $23,000.00 | $26,000.00 | $3,000.00 | 13.0% |
| State Farm | 2022 Toyota RAV4 | $30,571.00 | $33,500.00 | $2,929.00 | 9.6% |
| USAA | 2015 Ford F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew | $25,079.00 | $28,000.00 | $2,921.00 | 11.6% |
| State Farm | 2016 Ford Flex Limited | $9,086.00 | $12,000.00 | $2,914.00 | 32.1% |
| GEICO | 2003 Acura TL | $5,744.00 | $8,625.00 | $2,881.00 | 50.2% |
| USAA | 2011 Land Rover Range Rover | $7,655.00 | $10,500.00 | $2,845.00 | 37.2% |
| State Farm | 2007 Subaru Forester X | $2,175.85 | $5,008.85 | $2,833.00 | 130.2% |
| Allstate | 2013 Honda Accord Coupe | $12,133.00 | $14,943.19 | $2,810.19 | 23.2% |
| USAA | 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe | $8,692.93 | $11,500.00 | $2,807.07 | 32.3% |
| State Farm | 2015 Honda CR-V LX FWD | $6,312.00 | $9,075.00 | $2,763.00 | 43.8% |
| State Farm | 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE | $7,843.00 | $10,605.00 | $2,762.00 | 35.2% |
| Progressive | 2013 Subaru Impreza | $7,273.50 | $9,929.75 | $2,656.25 | 36.5% |
| Allstate | 2022 Subaru Forester Limited | $26,911.00 | $29,500.00 | $2,589.00 | 9.6% |
| State Farm | 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT | $10,242.00 | $12,800.00 | $2,558.00 | 25.0% |
| State Farm | 2007 Subaru Forester X | $2,175.85 | $4,708.85 | $2,533.00 | 116.4% |
| State Farm | 2021 Toyota Camry SE | $19,489.00 | $22,005.50 | $2,516.50 | 12.9% |
| GEICO | 2015 Audi Q5 | $9,157.00 | $11,650.00 | $2,493.00 | 27.2% |
| MGA / GAINSCO / State Farm | 2019 Nissan Sentra | $5,750.00 | $8,219.50 | $2,469.50 | 42.9% |
| Nationwide | 2014 BMW X3 xDrive | $5,804.00 | $8,170.39 | $2,366.39 | 40.8% |
| USAA | 2013 Infiniti G37 | $11,240.00 | $13,584.56 | $2,344.56 | 20.9% |
| Progressive | 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited | $11,659.34 | $14,000.00 | $2,340.66 | 20.1% |
| State Farm | 2007 Dodge Charger | $5,306.00 | $7,635.00 | $2,329.00 | 43.9% |
| State Farm | 2011 Toyota Prius II | $9,904.00 | $12,200.00 | $2,296.00 | 23.2% |
| USAA | 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI S Manual | $8,729.00 | $11,000.00 | $2,271.00 | 26.0% |
| State Farm | 2012 RAM 2500 Laramie | $30,068.00 | $32,275.00 | $2,207.00 | 7.3% |
| State Farm | 2012 Hyundai Genesis | $4,606.58 | $6,800.00 | $2,193.42 | 47.6% |
| GEICO | 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat SuperCrew 4WD | $50,657.00 | $52,790.00 | $2,133.00 | 4.2% |
| Allstate | 1992 Dodge Stealth | $13,460.00 | $15,500.00 | $2,040.00 | 15.2% |
| State Farm | 2012 Honda Civic Sedan EX-L | $7,487.00 | $9,500.00 | $2,013.00 | 26.9% |
| State Farm | 2012 Hyundai Sonata | $4,496.00 | $6,458.00 | $1,962.00 | 43.6% |
| Allstate | 2020 Chevrolet Traverse | $21,796.00 | $23,750.00 | $1,954.00 | 9.0% |
| State Farm | 2011 Nissan Altima S | $5,258.00 | $7,200.00 | $1,942.00 | 36.9% |
| State Farm | 2017 Honda Accord Touring | $18,131.00 | $19,950.00 | $1,819.00 | 10.0% |
| Mobilitas | 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited | $17,371.00 | $19,187.00 | $1,816.00 | 10.5% |
| State Farm | 2017 Nissan S | $4,798.00 | $6,500.00 | $1,702.00 | 35.5% |
| Amica | 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited | $8,083.00 | $9,670.99 | $1,587.99 | 19.6% |
| State Farm | 2001 BMW 3 Series 325i | $3,981.00 | $5,500.00 | $1,519.00 | 38.2% |
| State Farm | 2002 BMW 330Ci | $4,240.00 | $5,750.00 | $1,510.00 | 35.6% |
| Farmers | 2016 Land Rover Range Rover | $13,496.00 | $15,000.00 | $1,504.00 | 11.1% |
| USAA | 2017 Ford Escape | $11,086.00 | $12,500.00 | $1,414.00 | 12.8% |
| Progressive | 2011 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon | $17,631.08 | $19,000.00 | $1,368.92 | 7.8% |
| AMFAM | 2009 Dodge Ram | $26,360.00 | $27,500.00 | $1,140.00 | 4.3% |
| GEICO | 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger 2500 | $19,942.20 | $21,012.85 | $1,070.65 | 5.4% |
| Progressive | 2004 Honda Element EX | $5,516.59 | $6,500.00 | $983.41 | 17.8% |
| GEICO | 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT | $13,174.00 | $14,150.00 | $976.00 | 7.4% |
| State Farm | 2012 Lexus IS 350 | $11,498.00 | $11,950.00 | $452.00 | 3.9% |
Common Questions About Total Loss Appraisals
What is a Total Loss Appraisal?
How do I dispute an insurance valuation?
What is the appraisal clause in my policy?
How long does the appraisal process take?
What are CCC ONE valuations?
How much does a total loss appraisal cost?
READY TO GET STARTED?
It’s Simple. Just follow our proven process below and recover your fair market value and appraisal costs from your insurance company in just 6 easy steps.
1. Gather Documentation
Request a PDF of the Evaluaton from your insurance company. Have it ready when you fill out our questionnaire in the next step. Or, email it to leveragepdx@gmail.com with your name in the subject line.
2. Free Claim Review
Request a Free Total Loss Claim Review in our form below, or call us at 503.420.3001 to find out how much your vehicle is really worth. We won’t waste your time by selling you an appraisal you don’t need.
3. Order Appraisal
Place Your Order, and our Oregon Licensed and Certified Appraiser, Ken Nix will prepare the report and negotiation strategy.
4. Letter of Representation
We will send a letter of representation to your insurance company to inform them we are representing you as your appraiser under your appraisal clause.
5. Claim Negotiation
The insurance company will hire an independent appraiser and Ken will negotiate with them on your behalf to arrive at a fair settlement.
6. Settlement
Once we have an signed agreement as to the actual Fair Market Value of your vehicle, your insurance company will award your the settlement and under Oregon Law, will reimburse your appraisal cost under OAR 836-080-0240.
